Anambra APC Crisis Deepens as Anosike Faction Warns Against Osegbo’s Secretariat Takeover

Chief Ifeanyi Osegbo and Senator Emma Anosike

The lingering leadership crisis in the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a fresh twist as the factional executive led by Chief Ifeanyi Osegbo had forcefully taken over the party’s state secretariat to assume control of the party structure.
However, the executive led by Senator Emma Anosike has condemned the move, describing it as unlawful, criminal, and a violation of due process.
The Anosike-led leadership also advised party members to disregard and refrain from attending any meeting convened by the Osegbo faction.
The latest development follows a judgment obtained by the Osegbo faction against the Anosike-led executive. However, the Anosike camp has consistently dismissed the judgment as a “kangaroo judgment,” insisting that it lacks legal merit.
According to the Anosike faction, several individuals listed as plaintiffs in the suit have denied authorizing the legal action, while elected executive members have distanced themselves from the judgment.
The group further argued that neither Senator Emma Anosike nor the State Secretary was joined as a party or defendant in the suit.
Instead, the defendants were the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Chairman of the APC, a development the Anosike faction says validates its position that the judgment cannot lawfully remove the duly elected state executive.
The Anosike-led executive maintained that before any faction can lawfully assume control of the state secretariat, the judgment must first be served on the National Working Committee and the National Chairman of the party, who, according to the group, are the only authorities empowered to direct any change in the state leadership.
The faction also disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police has continued to provide security to Senator Emma Anosike in his capacity as the State Chairman of the party, which it says further affirms that he remains the recognized and authentic chairman pending the determination of all legal processes.
Despite these claims, the Osegbo faction proceed to takeover of the party secretariat this Sunday, although the Anosike executive maintains that the keys to the offices remain in its custody.
Speaking on behalf of the Osegbo faction, its Legal Adviser, Barrister Rich Egenti, insisted that there was no legal impediment preventing the execution of the judgment.
According to him:”In the interim, there is nothing left to stay. Moreover, merely filing an application for stay of execution at the Court of Appeal after the judgment has been fully executed does not amount to a stay of execution.
“Approach the Court of Appeal and do the needful. Stop circulating propaganda and follow the proper legal procedure by serving us with an Order of Stay, which you do not have.
“The Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court has also acknowledged that the process of executing the judgment has been concluded.
“Any attempt by any person or group of persons to stop the lawful assembly of the Anambra APC will be deemed contemptuous and illegal and shall be vehemently resisted.”
Responding to Egenti’s position, the Anosike-led executive maintained that the legal position being canvassed by the rival faction was misleading.
The group stated:”To keep the records straight, devoid of sentiment and prejudice, there was indeed a judgment by the court of first instance (Federal High Court) in Abuja. However, everyone knows that Mr. Ifeanyi Osegbo never contested for any position during the last State Congress, let alone the office of State Chairman.
“It is pertinent to state that our legal team has taken all necessary and appropriate legal steps to challenge the judgment by filing the requisite Notice of Appeal, an application for stay of execution, and other relevant processes before the Court of Appeal.
“Once an appeal and accompanying applications have been properly filed in the circumstances of this case, every intended action based on the disputed judgment ought to be subjected to judicial scrutiny. Furthermore, the National Leadership of the party has also filed its own appeal against the purported judgment and has continued to recognize and work with Senator Emma Anosike as the State Chairman of the APC in Anambra State.”
The executive further expressed confidence that the appellate court would determine the matter strictly in accordance with the law.
“We remain confident that the courts will determine the issues in accordance with the law. The court is not Father Christmas and cannot be deceived. It is also on record that the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies are investigating allegations of forgery and other documents allegedly used to mislead the court into delivering the said judgment.”it stated.
The Anosike-led executive urged party members to remain peaceful and law-abiding while the judicial process continues.
“We urge all party members to remain calm, patient, and law-abiding as the judicial process runs its full course. Members should therefore disregard and refrain from attending any meeting convened by any group other than the leadership led by Senator Emma Anosike, Hon. J.C. Okeke, and Sir Obi Okpala, who were duly elected and inaugurated before the National Congress Committee and the generality of APC members in Anambra State.” It added.
The faction further disclosed that on July 3, 2026, it filed both a Notice of Appeal and an application for stay of execution against the June 24, 2026 judgment.
According to court documents filed at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, Senator Emma Anosike, Sir Obiora Okpala, for themselves and on behalf of the elected executive members of the party, alongside seven others, sought the following reliefs:
An order setting aside the judgment and all ancillary orders delivered on June 24, 2026, by Justice M.G. Umar, together with the entire proceedings of the Federal High Court, on the ground that they are a nullity.
An order staying the execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of the application to set aside the judgment.
Such further order or orders as the Court of Appeal may deem fit to make in the circumstances.
The applicants also listed several grounds in support of their application, including:
Lack of service of the originating processes, hearing notices, and other court processes.
Denial of their constitutional right to fair hearing.
Alleged misrepresentation through which the June 24, 2026 judgment was obtained.
Allegation that the plaintiffs engaged in forum shopping.
That the suit is caught by the doctrine of estoppel.
That the court possesses the jurisdiction and inherent powers to set aside the judgment on the ground that it is a nullity.
That the court, as a court of competent and substantive jurisdiction, has the authority to grant the reliefs sought.
The legal battle is expected to determine the authentic leadership of the APC in Anambra State, even as tensions continue to rise between the rival factions over the control of the party’s structures and secretariat.