Court Sacks Akwa Ibom APC Governorship Candidate; Stops Him From Recontesting In Fresh Election

By Adesina Soyooye

The Honourable Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court Uyo, has sacked the Governorship Candidate of the Akwa Ibom All Progressives Congress, APC, Akanimo Udofia.

The Judge said Udofia, not being a member of the APC, had no business taking part in the Governorship Primary which took place on May 26, 2022.

The Court ordered a fresh Primary within 14 days but ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to bar Udofia from participating in the Primary election.

It relied on Section 77 sub section 3 of tye Electoral Act to bar him.

Recall that same has been the case in a couple of states where Courts had barred Parties from fielding already chosen candidates. They include Rivers State where Labour Party has been barred from taking part in 2023 General elections except the Presidency. The Court also barred 16 candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from participating in the House of Assembly election. In Zamfara State, a Court barred the Peoples Democratic Party from taking part in the Election except that of the Presidency.