Abuja — The crisis rocking the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) yesterday took a different dimension, as members of the transition committee chaired by Senator Mohammed A. Mohammed went to court seeking to stop today's National Executive Council (NEC) meeting organised by the Chief Ume-Ezeoke-led National Working Committee (NWC).

The ANPP faction is also praying the court to stop the embattled Chairman of the party, Chief Ume-Ezeoke and his NWC members from parading themselves as officials of the party.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the Imo State ANPP chairman, who is also the publicity secretary for the constituted ANPP Transition Committee, Dr. Vitalis Ajumbe, accused Ume-Ezeoke of plotting to ensure that his allies who are not members of the ANPP get the presidential ticket.

Specifically, Ajumbe, while reacting to a question on the status of the former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in the party, disclosed that Babangida was not a member of the party, and that the ANPP has not in anyway invited him to the party. We have credible people who can contest for the presidential election.

"Our party is open for all Nigerians who want to become members. But if you join the party, you most follow its laid down rules. I am confident to say here that IBB is not a member of our party," he said.

Explaining why they went to court, Ajumbe said, "We are seeking to stop the illegal NEC meeting organised by the expelled NWC of Ume-Ezeoke and to stop them from parading themselves as officials of the party. Their tenure was supposed to end on the night of September 1, 2010, but Ume-Ezeoke is planning to extend his tenure," he added.