Anambra poll: APGA hails judiciary for upholding justice

By Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has praised the judiciary for standing firm in defence of the country’s constitution and its statutes.

Reacting to the unanimous judgment delivered by the three justices of the Appeal Court, Kano Judicial Division, yesterday, the National Chairman of the party, Ozonkpu Victor Oye, through the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tex Okechukwu, described the judgment as a watershed in Nigeria’s political life.

He praised the justices that sat over the case for their courage, uprightness and commitment to the promotion of justice, equity and fairness.

Oye said the judgment had renewed the hope of the people in the judiciary and appealed to the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association to ensure that any judge or lawyer found guilty of professional misconduct was brought to justice.

He took the opportunity to call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do the needful without further delay by publishing the name of Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo as the rightful candidate of APGA for the November 6 Anambra State governorship election.

Congratulating millions of APGA supporters across the country, especially those of them in Anambra State, Oye thanked them for their steadfastness and support.

The governorship candidate of APGA, Chukwuma Umeoji and the acting National Chairman of the party, Chief Jude Okeke, have rejected the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Kano, which has set aside the judgment of the Jigawa High Court, which had declared them as chairman of the party and the governorship only candidate.

Okeke’s lawyers have been instructed to take necessary steps to appeal the judgment at the Supreme Court, saying the judgment is just a mere temporary setback, which will be set aside by the Supreme Court as quickly and easily as possible.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, said: “The Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji campaign will therefore continue unhindered pending the judgment of the Supreme Court where victory is assured.

“All supporters and party members are therefore urged to remain peaceful and law-abiding, while maintaining the confidence level, as there is nothing that can stop an idea whose time has come.”