The All Progressives Congress (APC) has been thrown into confusion a few hours after Ikechi Emenike emerged as the governorship candidate of the party in Abia State.

This is sequel to the judgment of the Abia State High Court, sitting in Umuahia which affirmed the suspension of Chief Ikechi Emenike as a member of the party and revoked his membership of the APC, as handed down by his Ward on Thursday.

The court presided over by Hon. Justice A.O. Chijioke had held that by his suspension, Emenike had been denied all membership privileges as provided by the APC Constitution including seeking the ticket of the party

Consequently, Chief Ikechi Emenike in accord with the ruling of the court was not fit to participate and/or contest the primaries of the APC in Abia State, pending when the ruling is set aside by a superior court.

The judgment delivered in Suit No.: HU/6/2022: Chinedum Nnoke& 2 Others. V. High Chief Ikechi Emenike & 3 Others, filed by three (3) members of the Abia State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging Emenike’s membership status said the privilege accorded the party chieftain despite subsisting suspension by the Nkwoegwu Ward of the APC, for anti-party activities was void.

The three claimants in the Suit were represented by Anaga Kalu Anaga Esq, while Chief Ikechi Emenike and the APC were represented by Vitalis C.Nwankwo Esq.

Anaga Kalu Esq. who reacted to the ruling commended the Court for a detailed exposition of the Law, as it concerns membership rights, disciplinary measures and effects thereof on political party membership, with particular reference to the APC and her constitution.

Commenting further on the judgement, another APC stalwart, Chief Ifegwu Uduma said the judgment could definitely have a great impact on the permutations and plans of the APC in Abia State, but regretted that most credible contestants under the APC have jumped ship into other Parties before the judgment.

It is clear from this judgment that Chief Ikechi Emenike has been excluded from the APC’sprimaries in Abia, thereby throwing the race for the Abia State governorship ticket of the APC, open to the remaining contenders within the Party.

Emenike had polled 672 votes out of 892 total votes cast by 907 accredited delegates to secure the APC ticket.

Chief Emenike contested with five other aspirants at the governorship primaries held at Chidiebere Park Umuahia.

He was declared the winner of the contest by the Chairman of the APC governorship Primary Election Committee for Abia, Chief Tony Obiefuna, who described the exercise as very “transparent and peaceful”.

“We hereby return Chief Ikechi Emenike as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Abia State,” Obiefuna had declared.

His closest rival, Chief Emeka Atuma got 150 votes while Daniel Eke polled 16 votes.

Paul Ikonne got 22 votes, Obinna Oriaku, 12 votes, and former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development Dr Uche Ogah, got six votes. Despite withdrawing from the race, Dr Alex Otti still secured 14 votes.

Some of the APC chieftains present at the event were the Deputy Chief Whip and members representing Isuikwuato-Umunneochi federal constituency, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; House of Representatives Spokesman, Benjamin Kalu; and member representing Ikwuano Umuahia federal constituency, Chief Sam Onuigbo. (Daily Independent)

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