Court affirms Willie Obiano as APGA candidate

From ALOYSIUS ATTAH, Onitsha

The Federal High Court sitting in Awka presided over by Justice Muhammed Salihu on Friday set aside the interim order made on Monday last week, which directed the submission of the names of Chief Chike Obidigbo and Dr. William Obiano as APGA governorship candidates in the coming elections.

Discharging the order, the court said it lacks the jurisdiction to make the orders and was against the express provision of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

It noted that the plaintiffs/respondents concealed materials facts to the court thereby deceived the court into making the interim orders.

The court discharged the order following a motion exparte

by Chief Onwuka Ukwa, Alhaji Tayo Sowumi and Barrister Ifeanyi Mbaeri who were defendants/applicants to the suit filed by Dr. Chike Obidigbo and Chief Maxi Okwu as plaintiffs/respondents.

It will be recalled that the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh had already on September 3, submitted the name of Dr. William Obiano to INEC as the APGA candidate in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election