The All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Abia State chapter has vehemently rejected the nullification of their May 29, 2022 governorship primary by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja.
The party said it find it so strange that the Appellate Court would find any ground to nullify a governorship primary adjudged to be the most peaceful and credible in the country; a primary fully participated by all the aspirants who took time to address the delegates before the commencement of the exercise; a primary that was conducted under the watchful eyes of all the necessary stakeholders, including the security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and beamed live by the media.
A statement by the party’s state chairman Rev Augustine Ehiemere said “It is on record, and a fact that cannot be controverted that all four of our governorship aspirants were present at the venue of the primary – Kolpping Society Umuahia- , and were all given equal opportunity to address the delegates before one of them, Sir Chikwe Udensi, later left the venue and went to a certain hotel where it was later reported on the social media that he declared himself a governorship candidate.
“His shenanigan not-withstanding, the exercise at Kolpping Society continued peacefully under the watch of the Electoral Committee sent by the National leadership of our party. Interestingly, the remaining three aspirants – Greg Ibe, Etigwe Uwa, and Gen. Ijioma Ijioma (retd.) were all together eating bananas and groundnuts as members of one family, observing the proceedings until the end. When finally, the votes were counted and result announced, they all congratulated our candidate, Professor Greg Ibe, who emerged with a landslide victory.
“It is unfortunate that these aspirants who lost out in a transparent and credible primary later went to court variously to challenge the outcome of the contest. It is also a surprise that individuals who had all committed to peaceful primary, mouthing their love for Abia and APGA, could later conspire to destroy the very house they had claimed they came to build. There is God ooooh!
We are yet to find any justification in the judgement which went beyond the prayers before the court, and like father Christmas granted what was never pleaded by the plaintiff. The plaintiff, Sir Udensi in his twin- prayers, asked to either be declared governorship candidate of our party or a re-run of the primary election. But the Court veered off the track to nullify the entire governorship primary. This is nothing but a travesty of justice which of course, cannot stand the scrutiny of the apex court.
“We totally align with our governorship candidate, Prof Greg Ibe, in his avowed determination to proceed to the Supreme Court to challenge the judgement and ultimately reclaim his mandate. Prof Ibe has our total loyalty and unflinching support in this battle against anti-democratic forces holding Abia State down. We urge him not to be deterred for the heart and prayers of Abians are with him. God will continue to strengthen him against his detractors.
“We advise our members not to engage in any act capable of causing disaffection in the party. Let’s remain prayerful and hope on God who has the final say in every matter.
