Akpabio To Appeal Court Verdict Sacking Him As Akwa Ibom APC Senatorial Candidate
A former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, says he will appeal a court verdict dismissing him as the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate in Akwa Ibom north-west.
On Monday, the court of appeal in Abuja nullified the primary election that produced the former minister as a senatorial candidate.
The appeal court set aside the judgment of the trial court that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Akpabio’s name as the APC senatorial candidate in the district.
Udom Ekpoudom, a former deputy inspector-general of police (DIG), had won the APC primary for Akwa Ibom north-west senatorial district in May, while the former minister was pursuing a presidential bid.
Akpabio, who is also the vice chairman of the APC presidential campaign council, said he would appeal the verdict in a statement on Tuesday in Uyo.
“My attention has been drawn to the judgement delivered by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, directing INEC to delist my name from its list as the APC senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District in the 2023 elections.
“It is instructive to mention that I was not a party in the said appeal, though orders were made against me and my interest.
“Whilst awaiting a copy of the said judgement to be made available to me and any other interested party, it is important to state that I am a lawyer by training and a law abiding citizen of this country and I am bound by our laws and judgements emanating from our courts including the one under reference.
“My lawyers on my advice and brief have commenced the scrutiny of the contents of the judgement as read, for the purposes of seeking appropriate legal redress. I am aware that the Supreme Court of Nigeria has the final say in these matters,” he said.
He added, “I therefore, strongly advise my supporters, APC members and all my constituents to remain calm and law abiding, as they continue their campaigns for the successes of the APC in Akwa Ibom North West, Akwa Ibom and Nigeria at large.”