Valentine Ozigbo Challenges APC Governorship Primary Result in Court

Valentine Ozigbo, an aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Anambra State, has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Awka, challenging the legitimacy of the primary election conducted on April 5, 2025.

The suit seeks to nullify the nomination of Nicholas Ukachukwu as the APC candidate and compel the party to recognize Ozigbo as the rightful candidate.

The lawsuit, filed on April 16, 2025, names the APC, Ukachukwu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants. Ozigbo’s legal team, led by Umeh Kalu, SAN, and B.C. Igwilo, SAN, has submitted supporting documentation, including the party’s constitution, internal communications, and delegate registers.

The primary election, held at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, saw Ukachukwu emerge as the winner with 1,455 votes, while Ozigbo scored 67 votes. However, Ozigbo has alleged that the election was marred by irregularities, including the use of a contrived delegate list and the exclusion of real APC members.

In a personal statement, Ozigbo described the primary election as a “well-scripted illusion” and accused Ukachukwu of failing to meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the APC constitution. He also criticized Ukachukwu for his response to the crisis that has engulfed the party’s state chapter following the primary.

Ozigbo’s lawsuit is the latest development in the turmoil that has rocked the Anambra APC, with several members resigning from their positions and defecting to other parties. The Federal High Court in Awka has yet to assign a date for the hearing.