Worried by the continued barricade of Benue State’s secretariat of the All Progressive Congress, APC, by the police and the ban on all the activities of the party on the order of Governor Hyacinth Alia, a chieftain of the party and a legal practitioner, Vershima Akaangee has filed a fundamental human rights suit challenging the order.

Akaangee, in suit No. MHC/845M/2024, is also challenging the constitutionality of the order banning political activities by Governor Alia.

Joined in the suit as first, second, third and fourth respondents, respectively, are the Inspector General of Police; Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command; Governor Alia of Benue State; and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Benue State.

According to the suit, Barrister Akaangee, kicked against the letter by the 3rd respondent, placing an embargo on political meetings, the use of the APC state secretariat by the 2nd respondent and the lack of action by the state actors. He added that he was seeking the enforcement of his fundamental human rights to peaceful assembly and association, which the respondents and their agents have violated and have continued to infringe despite the clear provision of Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The applicant further stated that the continuous barricade of the APC state secretariat situated at No. 75 J.S. Tarka Way, Makurdi, Benue State, by the 1st to 4th respondents, thereby preventing registered members, including the applicant, from accessing and/or carrying out political activities, is a total violation of fundamental rights.

In the suit, the applicant sought an order from the court directing the respondents to remove the barricade and vacate the premises and the road leading to the Benue APC State Secretariat forthwith.

He also sought an order of the court restraining the 1st to 4th respondents, either by themselves, servants, agents or representatives, from interfering with the rights to peaceful assembly and association of the applicant, aimed at frustrating members of the APC in Benue State, among others. In addition, he also sought an order awarding N5 billion damages against the respondents for infringing on his fundamental human rights.

He urged the court to hold that the 3rd respondent cannot compel registered members of APC in Benue State against their will to abandon a national political party for a faction that has no fruits and, also urged the court to hold and grant this application in the interest of justice.

May 23, 2024, has been fixed for the hearing of the case.

It can be recalled that Gov Alia in March 2024 ordered security agencies to lock up the state secretariat of APC in Makurdi, citing escalating insecurity, but findings have revealed that the order was a result of the ongoing supremacy battle between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume and the governor, which has led to the party splintering into two factions. The faction chaired by Austin Agada is backed by Akume while the other, chaired by Benjamin Omakolo, is pro-Alia.