One of the aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Anambra governorship election, Valentine Ozigbo, has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Awka, challenging the legitimacy of the APC governorship primary conducted on April 5, 2025, in Anambra State.
The suit, which names the APC, Nicholas Ukachukwu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission as defendants, seeks to nullify Ukachukwu’s nomination and compel the party to recognise Ozigbo as the rightful candidate.
According to the court document made available to journalists on Friday, the suit was filed on Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Recall that in the primary conducted at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, on April 5, Ukachukwu emerged as the candidate of the APC, scoring 1,455 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ozigbo, who scored 67 votes, Johnbosco Onunkwo scored 26 votes, and Edozie Madu scored eight votes, while invalid votes were 26.
Filed through his legal team led by Umeh Kalu, SAN, and B.C. Igwilo, SAN, the suit includes supporting documentation from the party’s constitution, internal communications, and delegate registers.
Ozigbo’s legal action comes amid turmoil within the Anambra APC, which has seen a wave of resignations of members from LGAs and ward chairmen, ward executives, and several defections in the aftermath of the disputed primary.
The originating summons asked the court to determine whether the APC violated its rules by allowing Ukachukwu’s candidacy.
The Federal High Court in Awka has yet to assign a date for hearing.
