Appeal Court affirms Ukachukwu APGA senatorial candidate

*sets aside the verdict of the lower court for want of territorial jurisdiction
From Chuks Moses, Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Senatorial candidate for Anambra South zone in the coming Feb 16, 2019 general election, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu (Ikukuoma) has won his appeal filed against the earlier verdict of an Abuja High court which had invalidated the party’s senatorial primary conducted last October.
The Appeal Court on Thursday affirmed him the party’s senatorial candidate for Anambra South. It ruled that the Apo high court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the matter and that it was also filed out of time.
Ukachukwu had a landslide win of the APGA primary election for the Anambra South senatorial zone which was held at the Ekwulobia Township stadium with 211 votes.
He defeated his closest rival, Iyom Bianca Ojukwu who polled 177 votes. Two others – Dr Anslem Enyimba and Chief Ikenna Mbazulike-Amechi scored two votes each.
Another aspirant, an American-based professional, Dr Okey Chidolue who was reportedly among those who joyously congratulated Ukachukwu that night later took him and the party to court, protesting the outcome.
Chidolue had polled only one vote, and prayed the Apo High Court, Abuja presided over by Hon Justice Valentine Ashi to upturn the primary election.
In its verdict, late last year, the court set aside the result of the primary, but declined awarding the candidature to Chidolue.
When the motion came up for argument, the applicant respondent, Chidolue insisted he was not properly served and the matter was adjourned to allow room for the proper process service.
However in its verdict, the court affirmed Ukachukwu as the duly and validly elected Anambra South Senatorial candidate for APGA. This ruling comes on a date he rounded off tours of the 119 electoral Wards within the senatorial zone.
Baring any further distraction, one of his aides, Chukwudubem Ezekwe, has confirmed that Ukachukwu, now has the political coast very clear towards a resounding victory on Feb 16, 2019.