The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Awka, which recognised Hon. Innocent Ojike as the party’s candidate for the Oyi State Constituency in the 2027 general elections.
The development has generated controversy, with supporters of Ojike calling on Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to intervene and resolve the dispute.
In its appeal filed at the Asaba Division of the Court of Appeal, APGA expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment delivered by Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court, Awka, on September 11, 2026.
The party argued that the trial court erred in law and thereby occasioned a miscarriage of justice.
It would be recalled that the APGA National and State Assembly Primary Election Committee had declared Ojike the winner of the party’s primary election conducted across the 15 wards of Oyi State Constituency on May 23, 2026.
The outcome was subsequently challenged following the emergence of another result, which purportedly replaced the earlier declaration made by the duly constituted primary election committee.
Justice Anyadike, in her judgment, reportedly set aside the disputed declaration and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the name and particulars of Ojike as APGA’s candidate for the Oyi State Constituency in the 2027 general elections.
The judgment effectively recognised Ojike as the candidate produced by the APGA primary election held on May 23, 2026.
Reacting to the appeal, Hon. Eneh Victor appealed to Governor Soludo to intervene, warning that the dispute could affect the party’s chances in the constituency if not resolved.
Eneh also criticised the decision of the APGA leadership to appeal the judgment, arguing that the dispute was an internal matter between two members of the party.
He said, “I am not happy that my friend, Barr. Ezeokenwa Sly Jr., the National Chairman of APGA, allowed the party to file an appeal.
“That was the decision of the court after seeing all the evidence before it.
“Since the court has taken this decision, APGA is bound to comply with it because both Ojike and Kosisochukwu Augustine Ibemesi are members of the party. APGA ought to be neutral.
“It is not APGA that should file an appeal against Ojike. It is Kosisochukwu Ibemesi who should have filed an appeal if he feels the court erred in its judgment.
“This is unbecoming of a political party, and the leadership of the party should be called to order.
“This is an internal affair between two members of the party. APGA should step aside and allow the court to settle it, since the party could not conduct a transparent primary election in Oyi.
“Kosi is not more APGA than Ojike, and it would be wrong for the party leadership to be seen as supporting one aspirant against the other.
“Governor Soludo should intervene quickly and stop this drift.
“I also appeal to Barr. Sly to stop the legal department of the party from this open bias against a serving House member,” Eneh stated.
The controversy is expected to continue as the appeal process progresses, with the final determination of the courts expected to clarify the party’s candidate for the Oyi State Constituency in the 2027 election.
