The Anambra Central Senatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Hon Dozie Nwankwo has hailed the judgement of the Federal High Court which nullified the election of the Labour Party Senatorial Candidate, Victor Umeh.
Nwankwo who spoke to journalists shortly after the news of the judgement broke described Umeh’s dismissal by the court as unsurprising, noting that he defeated the former APGA National Chairman in the primaries and would defeat him again if he stands the election.
Senator Victor Umeh was disqualified by a Federal High Court 1, sitting in Awka, today, January 27, 2023. The court disqualified Umeh on the grounds of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
In a three-hour judgment, Nganjiwa disqualified Umeh on the grounds of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act as it concerns his membership status of party primary.
The court noted that there was no evidence that the resignation letter by Umeh to the leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance was actually received by the party.
The court said his name was still in the membership register of APGA as of September 30, 2022 when he contested the party’s primary.
It also said Umeh’s name was not in the membership register of Labour Party as at the June 3, 2022, date of primary of the LP.
The court therefore declared as null and void the publication of Umeh’s name as a candidate earlier by the Independent National Electoral Commission, as he failed to comply with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the LP constitution.
The court therefore declared the publication as null and void and of no effect.
The court also issued an injunction restraining Umeh from parading himself as the senatorial candidate of LP. The injunction also prevented the LP from accepting or presenting Umeh as her candidate.
