An Enugu High Court on Friday removed Victor Umeh, as the Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, and ordered a fresh election to produce a new chairman.

A former Chairman of the party, Udi chapter, Jude Okuli, had filed a case in court challenging Mr. Umeh's chairmanship, after the expiration of his tenure.

But Counsel to Mr. Umeh, Patrick Ikwueto, had argued that the petitioner had been expelled from the party in 2006 for anti-party activities, violence and gross misconduct, and therefore, had no locus standi on the matter.

The court, presided over by the Enugu State Chief Judge, Innocent Umezulike, described Mr. Umeh's continuous stay as chairman of the party, as unconstitutional and illegal.

Mr. Umezulike said the judgment, followed the expiration of Mr. Umeh's tenure since December 2010, after taking over as chairman in 2006, according to the constitution of the party.

The judge ordered the National Executive Council of the party to conduct a fresh election to produce a new chairman.

"The plaintiff is absolutely against the defendant but no damage has been done to APGA as a party, especially when the tenure of the chairman has expired in 2010.

"It is necessary to separate the essentials from the incidentals. APGA is not an indispensable party in the petition brought to the court.

" The constitution of the party was drafted in English language and not Spanish. The continuation of the defendant as the National Chairman of the party is unconstitutional.

"However, the judgment does not stop you from contesting as chairman or other elections," he said.

NAN