BAYELSA APC CRISIS: Chairmanship Aspirant Atti Drags Party to Court Over Disputed Congresses

…Blames Gov. Diri’s Handling of Internal Disputes, Alleges Denial of Right to Contest

A chairmanship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Hon. Ebimene Emmanuel Atti, has initiated legal action challenging the congresses that produced the party’s current State Executive Committee.

Atti, who is contesting the legitimacy of the congresses, has retained the services of R.G. Taxbugu and Associates to pursue the matter in court.

In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mrs. Faith Ockiya, the aspirant expressed concern over what he described as the growing internal crisis within the Bayelsa State chapter of the APC.

According to the statement, the party has been engulfed in leadership disputes and internal divisions arising from the recently concluded congresses.

Atti alleged that the situation worsened because the leadership of the party and key stakeholders failed to effectively manage the disputes that emerged from the congresses. He particularly accused the Bayelsa State Governor and leader of the APC in the state, Senator Douye Diri, of failing to carefully manage the internal disagreements.

The chairmanship aspirant further alleged that the congresses were characterised by irregularities, marginalisation and disregard for established party guidelines.

Central to his legal challenge is the allegation that he was denied the opportunity to participate in the State Congress despite paying for nomination forms to contest for the position of State Chairman of the APC.

According to the statement, Atti duly paid for the nomination form but was allegedly prevented from collecting it, effectively shutting him out of the chairmanship race.

“Hon. Ebimene Emmanuel Atti was unlawfully deprived of the opportunity to participate in the State Congress after he purchased nomination forms to contest for the position of State Chairman of the APC,” the statement said.

“He was denied collection of the nomination form after he had duly paid for it, with the intention of shutting him out of the race.”

Atti maintained that the alleged failure of party leaders and stakeholders to resolve the disputes surrounding the congresses had deepened divisions within the APC and alienated some grassroots supporters.

He said the decision to seek judicial intervention was necessary to protect what he described as the sanctity of internal democracy and ensure that party rules and democratic processes are respected.

The lawsuit is expected to bring the conduct and outcome of the controversial congresses under judicial scrutiny as the internal leadership dispute within the Bayelsa State APC continues.

The statement was signed by Mrs. Faith Ockiya, spokesperson for Hon. Ebimene Emmanuel Atti.