Factional Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Plateau State, Hon. Ishaya Itse has on Wednesday 31^st July, 2024 approached the Court of Appeal Jos Division seeking the declaration of Hon. Rufus Bature and his other Executives illegal and invalid.

In the Suit No: PLD/J500/2021, the Applicant/Appellant is praying the Court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining Hon. Rufus Bature, Hon. Fidelis Longban, Hon. Philip Adik, Barr. Alice Dimlong and other Respondents from parading and/or holding out themselves as the Plateau State Executive Committee (SEC) Members of the All Progressives Congress as well as the APC and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing them in such capacity, pending the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s appeal pending before the Court of appeal.

The Appellant also require an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the 1^st Respondent in the case, the APC from recognizing Hon. Rufus Bature and 7 Other Respondents as the Plateau State Executive Members of APC for the purpose of organizing and conducting Primary Elections in Plateau State and carrying out the functions of State Executive Committees as set out in the Constitution of the APC pending the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s Appeal pending before the honorable Court.

Hon. Ishaya Itse has dragged Hon. Rufus Bature and 7 others to the Appeal Court being dissatisfied with the decision of the Plateau State High Court led by Hon. Justice S.P Gang that quashed his case on 2^nd December, 2021.

The Applicant from available records has complied and transmitted the records of appeal and his appeal is entered as Appeal No:CA/J/211/2023.

The argument of the Appellant is that he and 5 others were not allowed to contest for the State Chairmanship position after paying for the nomination forms within the time prescribed by the guidelines issued by the APC for the conduct of its state congress in Plateau State and across the Country.

He also alleged that on the date fixed for the said congress that is 16^th October, 2021, the former Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Simon Lalong summoned him and other Candidates for the Plateau State Chairmanship position of the APC to the Plateau State Government House in Little Rayfield and did asked them to step down and allow the 3^rd Respondent, Hon. Rufus Bature who he described as the then Governor’s anointed candidate to be the consensus candidate for the post/office of Plateau State Chairman of the APC contrary to the Constitution of the APC a request he said he declined and insisted in participating in the said election.

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Hon. Ishaya Itse Wants Court to Sack Hon. Rufus Bature, 7 Others as Plateau APC State Executive Committee Members