Anambra election: Court reinstates Soludo as authentic APGA candidate

The Anambra State High Court, has reinstated Professor Chukwuma Soludo, as the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the November 6 election.

The reinstatement came after a High Court in Jigawa State ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the name of Chukwuma Umeoji, who represents Aguata Federal Constituency in the National Assembly as the party’s candidate.

Umeoji emerged the APGA candidate in a parallel primary poll held in Awka, Anambra State capital.

Speaking on the outcome of the court session on Monday,  the State’s Secretary of APGA, Anthony Ifeanya who is also a lawyer, said that Justice C. C. Okaa who presided over the matter ruled that Soludo was the authentic candidate of APGA.

He said that the judge had described Jude Okeke-led APGA team and their governorship candidate as meddlesome interlopers and ordered INEC to publish Soludo’s name as the governorship candidate of the party.

Meanwhile, the Jude Okeke-led leadership of APGA, has dismissed the court ruling by the Awka High Court, declaring Soludo as candidate of the party.

National Publicity Secretary of Okeke-led leadership of APGA, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, while briefing newsmen in Abuja, said ”the existing court judgment by a High Court in Jigawa State, was still subsisting.”

He said as a court with the same jurisdiction, the earlier judgment can’t be dismissed. He said only a higher court can vacate it.

On Friday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), published names of candidates in the November 6th Governorship election in Anambra State. Chukwuma Umeoji’s name was published, while Soludo’s name was dropped.

NP/Mercy Chukwudiebere