Court Nullifies APC Guber Primaries In Akwa Ibom
A Federal High Court sitting in Uyo has nullified the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Akwa Ibom State.
The court, presided over by Justice Agatha Okeke on Monday, held that the entire APC governorship primary election which produced Mr Akanimo Udofia as the flagbearer was illegal and unconstitutional.
The court therefore ordered that a fresh primary be conducted within 14 days of the judgment.
“Within fourteen days only, the party (APC) should conduct fresh primary” the Court said.
It could be recalled that one of the aspirants in the APC governorship primary held on May 26, 2022, Senator Ita Enang, had sued Mr Akanimo Udofia, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the first, second and third defendants respectively, challenging the legitimacy of the conduct of the primary.
Recall also that Mr Akanimo Udofia”s name and Mr Victor Antai as the ‘APC Governorship Candidate and Deputy respectively were not captured in the Governorship List release by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for 2023 general elections.
In determining the substantive suit, Justice Okeke noted that the APC Governorship Election Committee had violated the laid down provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.
The Judge also noted that there was no evidence before the court that the procedures adopted by the second defendant (APC) in conducting the said Election was in line with Electoral Act 2022 as amended
