Ex Peter Obi Man Valentine Ozigbo Loses Again As Court Dismisses His Petition Against Ukachukwu’s APC Candidacy

 

A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, delivered a decisive blow to the legal challenge brought by Mr Valentine Ozigbo, an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming November 8 governorship election.

Presiding over the courtroom, Justice Evelyn Anyadike ruled on Wednesday that Ozigbo failed to provide convincing evidence to support his claim that Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu was ineligible to contest the party’s primary held on April 5. Ozigbo had petitioned the court to invalidate Ukachukwu’s emergence as the APC flag bearer, asserting that irregularities surrounded his party membership and documentation.

The judge acknowledged that certain discrepancies were present in the documents submitted by Ukachukwu. Despite this observation, she maintained that the court's hands were tied with regard to intervening in the internal affairs of a political party, especially when the petitioner had not met the burden of proof required by law.

Justice Anyadike further stated that unless there was overwhelming and incontrovertible evidence that a party had acted outside its constitutional mandate or had clearly breached internal regulations, the judiciary must refrain from substituting its judgment for that of the party’s leadership.

According to her ruling, “The court cannot interfere in the internal matters of a political party where the plaintiff has not provided incontrovertible proof of the date of membership, nor shown that the party acted outside its constitutional powers.”

Ozigbo, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate who joined the APC in 2023, had accused Ukachukwu of manipulating party membership records to beat the deadline required for participation in the primaries. His legal team argued that Ukachukwu’s name was inserted retroactively into the party's database, suggesting foul play intended to circumvent eligibility rules.

Although the judge admitted that such concerns were not trivial, she emphasized that it was not enough to merely raise suspicion. Legal intervention demands irrefutable evidence, and on that front, Ozigbo’s case fell short.

Following the verdict, Ozigbo addressed his supporters and members of the press outside the court premises. He expressed disappointment but remained defiant, promising to explore further legal options in pursuit of what he described as electoral justice.

“We are consulting with our lawyers, we will decide on our next step,” he said. “I did not fight this case for myself, I fought for Ndi Anambra. I fought to protect the soul of our democracy, and that fight is far from over.”

He continued, “This was not just about form-filling, it was about principle. It was about saying no to criminality. Unfortunately, the court blinked.”

Inside sources close to his legal team hinted that an appeal might be in the works, though no official confirmation has been made.

Meanwhile, the mood was jubilant at the camp of Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu. Supporters hailed the court's decision as a victory not just for their candidate, but for the rule of law.

A source from Ukachukwu’s campaign organization revealed that preparations are in full swing for the next phase of his governorship campaign. Having completed a statewide tour to all 21 local government areas of Anambra to appreciate APC delegates for their support during the primaries, Ukachukwu is set to launch his official campaign in August.

Observers say the court’s ruling may have strengthened his political momentum heading into the main election season. With his candidacy now affirmed by the court, Ukachukwu appears to have gained firmer ground as he prepares to engage other contenders from rival parties.

Party insiders, however, caution that legal tussles within the APC could still flare up depending on what Ozigbo and his allies choose to do next.

The judgment marks a critical juncture in what has been an intensely competitive buildup to the November 8 governorship poll in Anambra, a state known for high-stakes political battles and shifting party loyalties.

While the court’s ruling may have brought some clarity to the APC’s internal contest, it also underlines the fragile nature of political trust in the party's processes. Whether or not this matter has been fully settled remains to be seen, especially with a possible appeal looming on the horizon.