Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its resolve to reverse Friday’s judgment of the Federal High Court Port Harcourt that disqualified its state house of assembly candidates in 16 constituencies for the 2023 general election.
In a strong-worded statement signed by Sogbeye Eli, the campaign council’s spokesman, the party said it would appeal the judgment to get it reversed so that its members could contest in the forthcoming election. The statement, which noted that the campaign council received the judgment with surprise, assured members of the party that they would win next year’s election and urged them to remain calm.
The statement reads: “The 2023 Elections Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) received with surprise the news of another judgment of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt this afternoon ordering the disqualification of our candidates for the Rivers State House of Assembly in 16 State Constituencies for the March 11, 2023, general elections.
“Delivering judgment in the case brought by the People’s Democratic Party in PDP v. INEC & 33 Ors (FHC/PH/CS/152/2022), Justice Turaki Mohammed ruled in favour of the Plaintiffs for non-monitoring of the APC legislative primary by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Andoni, Etche Constituency 1 & 2, Tai, Gokana, Oyigbo, Eleme, Port Harcourt Constituency 1, 2 & 3, Khana Constituency 1 & 2, Okrika, Ahoada West, and Obio/Akpor Constituency 1 & 2. With this verdict, only the candidates for Ahoada East 1 & 2, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni 1 & 2, Emohua, Degema, Akuku Toru 1 & 2, Asari Toru 1 & 2, Bonny, Ikwerre, Omuma, Opobo/Nkoro, Abua/Odual and Ogu/Bolo were spared in the judgment.
“In the circumstance, the Campaign Council is compelled yet again to urge party faithful and millions of Rivers people supporting our candidates in the affected State Constituencies not to despair or be agitated as we proceed on appeal to reverse the judgment and restore our candidates ahead of the elections.”
The APC campaign council described the development as the handiwork of those it termed enemies of Rivers democracy who are bent on demoralizing the party and its members and, if possible, frustrating them out of the race. It however declared that the plan would not work.
“The enemies of democracy in our State who are afraid to meet us at the polls are out to break our spirit and force a fait accompli on the Rivers electorate who are backing our candidates but they have failed. We will contest the coming elections at all levels and win after setting aside this judgment as the Constitution allows the All Progressives Congress,” the campaign council stated.
