An Abuja Federal High Court (Vacation Court), on Thursday, declared former Minister, Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the authentic candidate of the All Progressives’Congress, APC, for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.
It also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately, publish the names and particulars of Akpabio as the authentic candidate of the APC for the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.
A statement from the Chief Press Secretary to Akpabio, Mr Jackson Udo made available to newsmen in Uyo on Thursday said the Court presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite declared that INEC lacked the power to disqualify Akpabio, having emerged from a validly held primary of his party
Delivering a landmark judgement, Nwite, noted that “the defendant couldn’t have picked nor choosen for the Plaintiff whose name should be sent or published”
The court also held that “the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), can’t legitimize an illegal enterprise noting that The APC was in full compliance and has its candidate for Akwa Ibom North West District”
According to him, “INEC should not create a new criteria for qualification of candidates and cannot unilaterally pronounce an election invalid. It is for the court to do so not INEC. No law empowers INEC to reject a candidate nominated by a political party.
INEC isn’t an aspirant. INEC isn’t National Working Committee of a party “
The court also declared that “the decision not to monitor a valid primary election held on June 9, 2022 is unlawful and the plaintiff has never been disqualified by a court, INEC therefore, lacks the power to disqualify Akpabio.”
