The leadership crisis within the All Progressives Congress, APC, diaspora structure has deepened following a decision by the APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen, CDC, directing its Chairman, Tunde Doherty, to temporarily step aside.

The decision was taken at a General House meeting of the APC Diaspora CDC/Executive Committee attended by 15 members.

The members said Doherty’s temporary withdrawal was necessary to protect the organisation from possible contempt of court and demonstrate respect for the rule of law.

The development is linked to a subsisting court injunction concerning the election that produced Doherty as Chairman of the APC UK Chapter. Members reportedly warned that allowing him to continue acting as CDC Chairman while the court order remains in force could expose the organisation and its executives to contempt proceedings.

The House stressed that the decision was not punitive but a legal safeguard pending the court’s determination of the matter.

It subsequently confirmed the Deputy Chairman of the CDC as Acting Chairman.

The meeting also approved the creation of a backup APC CDC communication platform, with the 15 members immediately joining the new platform. The members said the platform was intended to ensure continuity and communication rather than create a parallel organisation.

The House also raised concerns over the administration of existing communication platforms after some members of the Executive Committee and General House were reportedly removed by Secretary Stephen A. Tella, who was said to have retained sole administrative control.

The latest development adds to longstanding disagreements within the APC diaspora structure over chapter elections and the authority of the CDC.

The three major resolutions reached at the meeting were that Doherty should temporarily step aside pending the court’s ruling, the Deputy Chairman should act as CDC Chairman, and a backup CDC platform should be maintained.