Appeal Court Orders INEC To Recognize Akanimo Udofia As Akwa Ibom APC Guber Candidate

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Akanimo Udofia as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State.

A three-member panel of the court, led by Justice Elfreda Williams-Daudu, in a judgement on Thursday allowed the appeal by Udofia and set aside the November 14, 2022 judgment by Justice Agatha Okeke of the Uyo division of the Federal High Court.

Justice Okeke had upheld a suit filed by a former presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, nullified the primary that produced Udofia and ordered the party to conduct fresh primary within 14 days.

He added that it was wrong for the trial court to have assumed jurisdiction over the case when the plaintiff was without the requisite locus standi.

The third member of the panel, Justice Danlami Senchi also agreed with the judgment.

The court also held in favour Udofia in three other appeals decided in relation to the Akwa-Ibom APC governorship primary.