A’court reserves judgment in suit challenging sack of Akwa Ibom APC guber candidate

The Abuja court of appeal has reserved judgment in an appeal filed by Akanimo Udofia, challenging his sack as the Akwa Ibom governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Udofia was announced as the party’s governorship candidate on May 27 — but the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) maintained that its officials did not monitor the primary.

Prior to joining the APC, Udofia was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also purchased nomination forms to contest the PDP’s gubernatorial primary in Akwa Ibom.

Aggrieved, Ita Enang, former presidential adviser on Niger Delta affairs, who resigned his appointment to pursue his Akwa Ibom governorship bid on the APC platform, instituted a suit.

Enang argued that because Udofia did not take part in all phases of the APC’s governorship primary, he is not an official party member.

Delivering judgment in the suit filed by Enang, a federal high court in Uyo presided over by Agatha Okeke, sacked Udofia and ordered the APC to conduct a fresh governorship primary.

Displeased, Udofia filed an appeal.

A three-member panel of the appellate court reserved judgment after parties in the suit adopted their briefs of argument.