APC’s candidature has been declared Not Available in Imo Okigwe zone Senatorial By Election as INEC releases final list.
This is due to yesterday’s outcome on the judgments done in both the high court Abuja and Appeal court Owerri. Nullifying both Ararume and Frank Ibezim’s candidature.
It was learnt that the Federal High Court Abuja, had declared Araraume as candidate of the party.
Justice Iyang Ekwo rebuked INEC for being partisan, and disqualified the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Frank Ibezim from contesting on the grounds that he made false statements/declarations in the affidavit and documents he tendered to the APC and to INEC, wherein he presented falsified and uncertified photocopies of WAEC certificate.
The judgement was on suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1229/2020 filed by Asomugha Tony Elebeke with Ibezim, APC and INEC as defendants.
The Court of Appeal, Owerri in it’s own judgement, Friday declared Ibezim as the authentic candidate of the APC for Okigwe senate election
In his judgement, delivered by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam sacked Senator Araraume who had been acting as candidate of the party based on the judgement of the Federal High Court, Owerri.
INEC is yet to respond to the judgement in favour of the two candidates.
But this newspaper observed that Senator Araraume’s name still remains on the records of the electorial body as one of the 14 candidates to take part in the election.