Adamawa APC to appeal judgment sacking governorship candidate

The Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has said it will be appealing the Federal High Court ruling disqualifying the party from fielding a governorship candidate for the 2023 general elections.

The court had on Friday, annulled the candidature of Senetor Aishatu Ahmed and restrained her from parading herself as the governorship candidate of the APC based on a suit filed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, challenging outcome of May 26 Adamawa APC governorship primary over allegations bordering on over voting, vote buying and other irregularities.

Justice Abdulaaziz Anka, in his court judgement after resolving all the matters for consideration in the substantive suit, held that Adamawa APC governorship primary was not compliant with the 2022 Electoral Act, the nation’s constitution, and the party guidelines.

The court held that the said nomination of Aishatu Ahmed by the 1st defendant, APC, to be invalid, unlawful because it clearly contravened Section 85 (5) of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended, cannot therefore field a candidate to participate in the upcoming 2023 elections.

But the state APC, arising from a meeting of the State Working Committee and the chairmen of the local government chapters, vowed to appeal the judgment.

The state Secretary of the party, Dr. Raymond Chidama, who read the communiqué containing the position of the party after the meeting, asked party members to remain calm.

The party, he said, would participate in the forthcoming governorship election while expressing favourable outcome of the appeal to be filed by the party.

He said, “The party will reject totally the refusal of the court to order for fresh primaries in order for us to fill the post for a candidate for the 2023 general elections. Therefore, we will proceed to court of appeal immediately, to press for our demands.”

PUNCH/N.O