Appeal Court affirms Valentine Ozigbo as PDP guber candidate for Anambra polls

…Describes lower court decision on the matter as strange in law

The Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, has affirmed the emergence of Valentine Ozigbo as the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, in the forthcoming November 6, Governorship election in Anambra State.

The President, Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongba-Mensem, in a judgment on Friday, set aside the judgement of the High Court of Awka, Anambra state delivered on July 19.

The Appeal Court in a unanimous decision ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to publish the names of Ozigbo and his running mate as duly nominated and elected candidates for the PDP for the purpose of the November 6 gubernatorial election in Anambra state.

Having set aside the judgement of the lower court, the appellate court awarded the cost of N10million in favour of the appellant against the respondent.

The Court of Appeal advised INEC not to be quick to undermine the emergence of a candidate elected by a political party.

“We set aside the position of Justice Obiorah Nwabunike of Anambra State High Court Awka, delivered on July 19, which had dismissed Ozigbo as the winner of the PDP primary.

Justice Dongban-Mensem said the decision of Justice Nwabunike “is strange in law”.

“We hereby affirm that Valentine Ozigbo is the duly elected candidate for the appellant (PDP) for the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship election slated for November 6, 2021. (Independent)