The All Progressives Congress (APC) is in a quagmire as few hours after he emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State a High Court of the State had affirmed the suspension of Chief Ikechi Emenike as a member of the party.
This development has thrown the party in the state into a state of confusion.
Specifically, the High Court of Abia State, sitting in Umuahia, had in its judgment on Thursday, affirmed the suspension Emenike and revoked his membership from the APC, as handed down by his Ward.
The Court presided over by Hon. Justice A.O. Chijioke in the Judgment held that by the suspension of Emenike it has denied him all membership privileges as provided by the APC Constitution.
The purport of this judgment is that Chief Ikechi Emenike is not fit to participate and/or contest in the ongoing primaries of the APC in Abia State, until the judgment is set aside and/or upturned on Appeal.
The judgment delivered in Suit No.: HU/6/2022: Chinedum Nnoke& 2 Others. V. High Chief Ikechi Emenike & 3 Others, filed by three (3) members of the Abia State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the membership status being accorded to Chief Ikechi Emeinike, despite his subsisting suspension by the Nkwoegwu Ward of the APC, for anti – party activities.
The three (3) claimants in the Suit were represented by Anaga Kalu Anaga Esq, while Chief IkechiEmenike and the APC were represented by Vitalis C.Nwankwo Esq.
Reacting to the judgment,Anaga Kalu Esq. commended the Court for a detailed exposition of the Law, as it concerns membership rights, disciplinary measures and effects thereof on political party membership, with particular reference to the APC and her constitution.
Commenting further on the judgement, another APC stalwart, Chief Ifegwu Uduma said the judgment could definitely have a great impact on the permutations and plans of the APC in Abia State, but regretted that most credible contestants under the APC have jumped ship into other Parties before the judgment.
It is clear from this judgment that Chief Ikechi Emenike has been excluded from the APC’sprimaries in Abia, thereby throwing the race for the Abia State governorship ticket of the APC, open to the remaining contenders within the Party.
Emenike had polled 672 votes out of 892 total votes cast by 907 accredited delegates to secure the APC ticket.
Chief Emenike contested with five other aspirants at the governorship primaries held at Chidiebere Park Umuahia.
He was declared winner of the contest by the Chairman of the APC governorship Primary Election Committee for Abia, Chief Tony Obiefuna, who described the exercise as very “transparent and peaceful” .
“We hereby return Chief Ikechi Emenike as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Abia State”, Obiefuna had declared.
His closest rival, Chief Emeka Atuma got 150 votes while Daniel Eke, polled 16 votes.
Paul Ikonne got 22 votes, Obinna Oriaku, 12 votes, and former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development Dr Uche Ogah, got six votes.
Despite withdrawing from the race, Dr Alex Otti still secured 14 votes.
Some of the APC chieftains present at the event were the Deputy Chief Whip and member representing Isuikwuato-Umunneochi federal consituency, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; House of Representatives Spokesman, Benjamin Kalu; and member representing Ikwuano Umuahia federal constituency, Chief Sam Onuigbo.
Others were Senator Nkechi Nwaogu; former Labour Minister, Emeka Wogu; former Commissioner for Industry and senstorial aspirant, Chief Henry Ikoh; House of Representatives aspirant for Arochukwu Ohafia federal consituency, Mary Ikoku, among others.
