The petition filed by Dr. Chike Obidigbo at the Anambra State Election Petition Tribunal has deepened the panic and confusion within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) following his prayers that he should be declared the state’s governor-elect in the November 16, 2013 gubernatorial election.
The petition is a by-product of the Federal High Court, Abuja, pronouncement affirming Barrister Maxi Okwu as the National Chairman of the party and not Sir Victor Umeh, whose tenure the court ruled has expired since 2010.
In the petition, Obidigbo contended that he won the authentic APGA governorship primary, which was supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and his name was submitted to the electoral body.
Obidigbo further alleged that his name was removed by INEC and replaced by Chief Willie Obiano as candidate of APGA when, according to him, Obiano never took part in the primary but his name was submitted to the commission.
He also said he was the candidate of APGA that contested the election after campaigning and that he, and not Obiano, won the election.
It would be recalled that at some point before the November 16, 2013 governorship election, Obidigbo’s name was shortlisted as APGA candidate only to be replaced with Obiano during the exercise.
Confirming this development, the National Chairman of APGA, Maxi Okwu told Saturday Independent: “We already have a matter at the election petitions tribunal in Anambra State and in that suit, our governor-elect, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, who sued Willie Obiano and three others, made it clear that he is the candidate of our party that won the governorship election in Anambra and not one Willie Obiano.”
