An aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in the Anambra governorship election, Valentine Ozigbo, has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Awka challenging the legality of the April 5 primary election held in the state.
The suit seeks to nullify Nicholas Ukachukwu’s nomination as APC’s flagbearer and compel the party to recognise him (Ozigbo) as its candidate.
Filed through his legal team led by Umeh Kalu, and B.C. Igwilo, the suit named the APC, Ukachukwu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
In an accompanying personal statement titled “For a future worth fighting for”, Ozigbo described the primary election as a “well-scripted illusion.”
Recall that Ukachukwu emerged as the candidate of the APC with a total of 1,455 votes after defeating his closest rival, Ozigbo, with 67 votes, Johnbosco Onunkwo, 26 votes, and Edozie Mad with eight votes.
In his statement, Ozigbo said that he has taken the stand, “not for self, but for truth, for justice, and for Ndi Anambra.”
He said, “On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, I took a consequential step in fighting for truth and justice. I filed a lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of the deeply flawed process that purportedly produced Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu as the flagbearer of our great party, the APC, for the November 2025 Anambra governorship election.
“Let us be clear: the April 5, 2025 exercise was not a primary election—it was a well-scripted illusion.
“A contrived delegate list filled with names unfamiliar to even the most seasoned party leaders was used for the guber primary. Real APC members were locked out while chaos reigned.
“No accreditation, no order; just thugs, violence, and a herd of hired hands masquerading as delegates.”
He alleged that Ukachukwu failed to meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the APC constitution, further accusing him of nonchalance over the crisis that has engulfed the party in the state.
He added, “The crux of the matter is that Mr Ukachukwu did not qualify to run under the APC in the first place. He failed to meet the minimum threshold for eligibility. And yet, the party machinery was twisted to serve his ambition.
“Now, Ukachukwu parades himself, declaring the theatre of deceit that April 5 represents as ‘free and fair.’ It is an insult to the intelligence of our people and a stain on the integrity of our party.
“While he fiddles like Emperor Nero, APC in Anambra is burning. The house is on fire; mass resignations, lawsuits, broken trust, and the so-called candidate dances, oblivious to the smoke and embers.
“To be clear, I am not desperate for power. I am not asking for favours. I seek only what is just, and what is right.
“Our aim is not to fracture the party but to fortify it; to restore its integrity, renew its credibility, and secure its future as a vehicle for true democratic leadership.
“Let history record that when a corrupt process attempted to masquerade as legitimacy, we did not stay silent. We stood up. We spoke out. We acted for justice, for our children, and for the future we all deserve.”
The Federal High Court in Awka has yet to fix a date for hearing.
Anambra: Valentine Ozigbo Sues APC, INEC Over Primary Election is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
