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All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Abia State chapter, has rejected the nullification of its governorship primary of 29th of May, 2022 by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja.
In a statement by the state Chairman, Augustine Ehiemere, APGA said it found it 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.
The party said it was an incontrovertible fact that all four of its governorship aspirants were present at the venue of the primary, and given equal opportunity to address the delegates before one of them, ‘Chikwe Udensi, 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.’
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The party said notwithstanding, APGA continued with the exercise peacefully under the watch of the electoral Committee sent by the national leadership of the party.
‘Interestingly, the remaining three aspirants – Greg Ibe, Etigwe Uwa, and Gen. Ijioma Ijioma (retd) were all together 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, Prof. 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.’
APGA said it was yet to find any justification in the judgment which went beyond the prayers before the court, and like father Christmas granted what was never pleaded by the plaintiff.
‘The plaintiff, Udensi in his twin-prayers, asked to either be declared governorship candidate of our party or a rerun 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.’
The party said it aligned with her governorship candidate, Professor Ibe, in his determination to proceed to the Supreme Court to challenge the judgment and ultimately reclaim his mandate.
‘Professor 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.’
APGA reaffirmed her confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
