By Isaac Ojo
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, sitting in Awka, Anambra has granted an order which sought to stop the Mr Chikwelu Adigwe led faction of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Anambra from conducting local government elections.
The order granted by Hon Justice John Targema PhD also ordered Adigwe and other defendants to stay all actions in relation or connection to administration and leadership of NULGE in Anambra.
The order made available on Tuesday said the defendants should stay action on all NULGE, Anambra matters until the substantive suit dated Nov. 13, 2019 before it was determined.
The order was sought by the trio of Mr Chukwunonso Okaka, Mr Victormary Anuna and Mr Chuddy Orakwe against the Chikwelu led faction on the grounds that they lacked legitimacy to act as NULGE leadership in Anambra or conduct any election.
“The 1st defendant and all his allies particularly, one Mr Adigwe Chikwelu are hereby restrained from conducting the NULGE (Anambra State Local Branches), local government elections scheduled to hold on Nov. 9, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 2020 and Dec 1, 2, 3,and 8, 2020.
“Until the determination of the substantive suit dated Nov. 13, 2019, already filed before this court on Nov. 14 2019.
“The defendant/respondents, particularly the 1st defendant and all his allies are hereby ordered to stay action on matters relating to or connected with the administration and leadership of NULGE and also conducting NULGE local government elections.
“The election is being masterminded and executed by one Mr Adigwe William Chikwelu until the determination of the substantive suit dated 13th November, 2019, already filed before this court this court on 14th November 2019,” he said.
The petitioners had in their suit NICN/AWKA/44/2019 dragged Mr Jerry Nnubia former chairman of NULGE in Anambra, NULGE and Mr Ibrahim Khaleel, National President of NULGE before the court over tenure eligibility.
They contended that they did not have the locus to conduct election which led to the emergence of Adigwe State Executive.
In his response, Adigwe told reporters that the order was made in error and that he had already contacted his legs team who would respond accordingly.
He said he was not a party to the pending suit but would respect the order until it was vacated.