Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Development Economist, Chief Ikechi Emenike, has been declared the winner of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship primaries in Abia State.
He polled 672 votes out of 892 total votes cast to pick the APC ticket.
However, his joy was short-lived as an Abia High Court sitting in Umuahia affirmed his suspension from the party.
He was last year suspended by his ward for alleged anti-party activities.
Chief Emenike contested with five other aspirants at the governorship primaries held at Chidiebere Park Umuahia.
He was declared 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 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.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Emenike described his emergence as “the beginning of the beginning” in his mission to liberate Abia from “the forces of darkness that have held the state captive for years.”
The APC governorship flag bearer appealed to all well-meaning Abians irrespective of party affiliations to close ranks with him to win the 2023 poll to rebuild Abia State.
He gave quit notice to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, accusing it of setting the state backwards.
Chief Emenike promised to spread development evenly across the state while soliciting the support of all progressives.
“I need the support, I need the collaboration, I need the goodwill of everyone to complete this mission,” he pleaded.
He also said: “God will deliver Abia State through us and I can assure you that by May 29, 2023, we will have a bigger celebration.”
Some of the APC chieftains present at the event were the Deputy Chief Whip and member representing Isuikwuato-Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; House of Representatives Spokesman, Benjamin Kalu; and member representing Ikwuano Umuahia Federal Constituency, Chief Sam Onuigbo.
Others were Senator Nkechi Nwaogu; former Labour Minister, Emeka Wogu; former Commissioner for Industry and senatorial aspirant, Chief Henry Ikoh; House of Representatives aspirant for Arochukwu Ohafia Federal Constituency, Mary Ikoku, among others.
About two hours after he was declared winner of the APC governorship primaries, the Court presided over by Hon. Justice A.O. Chijioke in the Judgment held that by the suspension of Emenike, it has denied him all membership privileges as provided by the APC Constitution.
“The purport of this judgment is that Chief Ikechi Emenike is not fit to participate and/or contest in the ongoing primaries of the APC in Abia State, until the judgment is set aside and/or upturned on Appeal,” the court ruled.
The court restrained Emenike from parading himself as a legitimate member of the APC.
It also restrained the APC from recognising or dealing with Emenike as its member while his suspension subsists.
The suit marked HU/6/2022: Chinedum Nnoke & 2 Others. V. High Chief Ikechi Emenike & 3 Others was filed by three members of the Abia State chapter of APC challenging the membership status being accorded to Chief Ikechi Emeinike, despite his subsisting suspension by the Nkwoegwu Ward of the APC, for anti – party activities.
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.
Reacting to the judgment, Anaga Kalu Esq. 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 on the judgement, an APC chieftain, 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.
He said that “It is clear from this judgment that Chief Ikechi Emenike has been excluded from APC’s primaries in Abia, thereby throwing the race for the Abia State governorship ticket of the APC, open to the remaining contenders within the Party.”
When contacted, APC Chairman, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu said he was not aware of the said judgment as he was just returning from the party’s convention.
Ononogbu said that the party would respond when it was served the court judgement.
