From Maurice Okafor, Enugu.
The Deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Enugu state, Barr George Ogara said he still remains the running mate to Chief Uche Nnaji, the APC governorship in Enugu state,stating a Federal High Court of Nigeria has compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission to do the needful.
Barr Ogara dropped this hints in a telephone chat with ‘The Authority Newspaper’while reacting to online publications on internet mentioning Hon Robert Ngwu as running mate to Chief Uche Nnaji.
He explained initially Uche Nnaji planted Hon Robert Ngwu as his deputy but subsequently the party stakeholders with thorough understanding from all including Hon Robert Ngwu himself settled for his candidacy as the choice of the party for Enugu APC deputy governorship candidate.
He disclosed he went into the primaries with Chief Uche Nnaji and both officially emerged as governorship and deputy governorship candidates of APC in Enugu state.
He wondered why the misconceptions from INEC continued despite the notifications,but for avoidance of doubt,a federal high court sitting in Enugu,on December 8,2022, presided by HonJustice F.O.G Ogubanjo, also ruled on the matter.
Barr Ogara stated,’On 8/12/2022, the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Enugu Judicial Division presided over by Hon Justice F .O. G OGUNBANJO delivered judgment in pre -election Suit no FHC/EN/CS/196/2022: chief Uche Nnaji & ors v INEC that the nomination of Barr George Ogara as the APC Enugu state deputy Governorship candidate is VALID & BINDING”
‘Since 8/12/2022 till date , there is no appeal against the said judgment and the judgment has not been set aside till date. INEC has been served with the judgment and judgment Order. INEC is bound to comply with the order of court’.
The Authority checks in Enugu revealed that opponents of APC in the Enugu state governorship race are already thriving on the propaganda that Chief Uche Nnaji who hails from Enugu East senatorial district has formalised for a running mate,in the person of Hon Robert Ngwu. who also hails from Enugu East senatorial district.
But Barr Ogara assured he will correct the ugly propaganda using the media in no distant time,even as INEC is bound to revert soonest.
