…Court, Monday ruled that Akan Udofia was ineligible to run in the APC primary election
Obong Akan Udofia, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for governor of Akwa Ibom State, files an appeal against the ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, which invalidated the primary that elected him as the party’s candidate.
On Monday, Justice A.A. Okeke ruled that Udofia was ineligible to run in the APC primary election in Akwa Ibom because he was not a member of the party.
On the other hand, Mr. Don Etim, the Director General of the Akan Udofia Campaign Council, spoke at a news conference on Saturday in Abuja, describing the ruling as a blatant breach and infringement of Udofia’s right to freedom of association under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.
He said there was a “preponderance of evidence” to support Udofia’s claim that he had properly resigned from the PDP in Akwa Ibom State.
The DG said Akan Udofia publicly informed the PDP of his resignation in a letter dated May 1, 2022, and sent to the Ward Executive Chairman of Mbiaso Ward 1 Nsit Ibom and the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the PDP.
Therefore, we desire to say unambiguously that Obong Akanimo Udofia did not take part in, engage in, or in any way contest the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Primaries Election in Akwa Ibom State conducted on May 25, 2022, as he stated.
Etim emphasized that Udofia’s application for a waiver to contest the APC gubernatorial primary election in Akwa Ibom state was approved by the NWC of the APC on May 12, 2022, in compliance with Article 31(3)(ii) of the APC Constitution as amended.
He insisted that the assertion that he does not belong to the APC is startling.
Etim said, “By denying Akan Udofia the rights and advantages given to him as a member of a political party, the All Progressives Congress, this judgment is a blatant breach and infringement of his constitutional right to freedom of association guaranteed to him under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.” (APC)
We have full faith in our judicial system and will act swiftly to overturn this decision and restore his rightful claim to the mandate freely given to him by the faithful supporters of our great party.
He clarified that Udofia was really a registered APC member in his ward, providing his complete name and other personal information.
According to Etim, Udofia was unfazed and certain that he would be the APC’s nominee for governor in 2023 and win with the backing of the people.
For fear of misleading the public, particularly the good people of Akwa Ibom State, he said the explanation had to be made lest they think Udofia was not eligible to run for office.
