Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and its governorship candidate, Professor Greg Ibe, respectively, have rejected the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja which nullified the May 29, 2022 governorship primary of the party in Abia State.
APGA and Professor Ibe, in their separate reactions to the judgment, described it as a “travesty of justice.”
This is as Professor Ibe said that he had instructed his legal team to appeal the judgment at the Supreme Court.
Recall that Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja High Court, had earlier nullified the primary following a motion by one of the aspirants, Sir Chikwe Udensi.
The Appellate Court on Wednesday sustained the nullification of the primary due to alleged irregularities.
In his response, he said the position of the Appellate court was a miscarriage of justice.
He expressed utter amazement that the Appellate court decided on its own to grant prayers not pleaded by the plaintiff, describing it as a travesty of justice.
The APGA governorship candidate said that the Appellate Court erred in law by granting the plaintiff prayers he never pleaded.
“Today I received with utter dissatisfaction the outcome of the Abuja Court of Appeal matter between Sir Chikwe Udensi and I.
“According to information available to me, the judges denied Sir Udensi his twin prayers of either being declared governorship candidate of our party or ordering a rerun of the primary election.
“Then in a manner tantamount to playing Father Christmas, the court surprisingly erred by granting a request that was not pleaded by declaring that our party, APGA should not present any candidate during the governorship election of 11 March 2023.
“This is not only a strange ruling but one that is preposterous and totally unjustifiable. I thereby reject the judgment in its entirety and subsequently announce my decision to seek redress at the apex court. Already my lawyers have been briefed to immediately commence cross appeal proceedings at the supreme court in order to upturn the unfair judgment.”
Professor Ibe vowed not to be deterred by the antics of his detractors.
“There is no doubt that this latest antic is the height of the desperate machinations of enemies of Abia who do not want someone of my pedigree to mount the saddle and offer the people better life.
“Unfortunately for them their fruitless arrows of attack only make me stronger and more determined to fight for the ultimate liberation of our people from the captivity of backwardness and under development.
Professor Ibe said he remained the APGA governorship flag bearer until the matter was ultimately decided by the apex court.
He, therefore, enjoined people of the state, especially his numerous supporters to remain calm while sustaining their solidarity for his candidacy.
“I therefore enjoin Abians to remain undeterred by the desperate efforts of mischief makers in their bid to truncate the march to a new Abia, but to sustain their desire for positive change in the state as represented by my candidacy, since I still remain the flag bearer of APGA until the Supreme Court determines otherwise.”
Similarly, APGA Chairman, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, in a statement, explained that all the aspirants participated in the primary that produced Professor Ibe, and expressed surprise how they later went to court after initially hailing the process.
“It is unfortunate that these aspirants who lost out in a transparent and credible primary later went to court variously to challenge the outcome of the contest. It is also a surprise that individuals who had all committed to peaceful primary, mouthing their love for Abia and APGA, could later conspire to destroy the very house they had claimed they came to build.
“We are yet to find any justification in the judgment which went beyond the prayers before the court, and like father Christmas granted what was never pleaded by the plaintiff.
“The plaintiff, Sir Udensi in his twin-prayers, asked to either be declared governorship candidate of our party or a rerun of the primary election. But the Court veered off the track to nullify the entire governorship primary. This is nothing but a travesty of justice which of course, cannot stand the scrutiny of the apex court.”
APGA pledged total support for Ibe while urging the party faithful to remain calm and await the outcome of the matter at the supreme court.
“We totally align with our governorship candidate, Professor Greg Ibe, in his avowed determination to proceed to the Supreme Court to challenge the judgement and ultimately reclaim his mandate. Professor Ibe has our total loyalty and unflinching support in this battle against anti-democratic forces holding Abia State down. We urge him not to be deterred for the heart and prayers of Abians are with him. God will continue to strengthen him against his detractors.
“APGA still has confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man. Hence, we are very optimistic that the Supreme Court will look at the merits of the matter and affirm the mandate of our governorship flag bearer, Professor Greg Ibe.
“We, therefore, urge our teeming members and supporters to remain calm and restrain from any act capable of portraying the party in the bad light. God has the final say. We shall get to our glorious destination.
“They should remain focused. Their support for both our great party and candidates should not waiver despite these distractions orchestrated by our detractors and their partners to destablise us. We are committed to our resolve to rescue Abia and make her great again!
“We advise our members not to engage in any act capable of causing disaffection in the party. Let’s remain prayerful and hope on God who has the final say in every matter.”
The APGA Chairman expressed optimism that the party would sweep March 11 the governorship poll in the state, explaining that those who feel threatened by the growing popularity and acceptance of the party and its candidates are behind the party’s ordeals.
