The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has declared that its scheduled state congress will proceed despite a restraining order issued by the Federal High Court in Akure.
Party leaders insist they have not received any official notification of the court order and therefore see no reason to halt preparations for the political exercise.
The National Vice Chairman of the APC in the South-West, Isaac Kekemeke, said the party would only comply with directives formally communicated through the national headquarters.
According to him, decisions cannot be based on information circulating on social media.
Kekemeke, who is also a lawyer, emphasized that the party respects the rule of law but must first be formally notified of any legal directive before taking action.
Federal High Court Restrains APC Congress
Earlier on Monday, the Federal High Court sitting in Akure issued an interim injunction stopping the APC from conducting its planned state congress in Ondo State.
The ruling also nullified the ward and local government congresses previously held on February 18 and February 21.
Justice Toyin Adegoke granted the order after an ex parte application filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adedayo Adedeji, on behalf of aggrieved party members led by Lawrence Adebayo and more than 7,400 others.
The court directed the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
APC Maintains Plans for Nationwide Congress
Despite the court ruling, the Ondo State chapter of the APC says the congress was approved by the party’s National Working Committee as part of nationwide party congresses scheduled for March 3, 2026.
In a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, the party invited statutory delegates, stakeholders and party leaders to participate in the exercise.
The planned congress has, however, been overshadowed by recent political tensions in the state.
Violence During Earlier APC Congress
The earlier ward congress in Idanre Local Government Area reportedly turned violent, leaving two people dead and several others injured.
Police authorities confirmed that at least 13 suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.
In another related attack, unknown thugs assaulted the Ondo State APC chairman, Ade Adetimehin, at the party’s office in Akure a day before the violence in Idanre.
The unfolding legal battle and internal disputes have raised concerns about the stability of the party’s congress process in Ondo State.
