The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has affirmed the candidacy of Valentine Ozigbo as the flagbrearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the upcoming November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.
The President, Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongba-Mensem, who led a three-man panel of justices overturned the judgement of the High Court of Awka, Anambra state delivered on July 19 as he declared the judgment null and void.
The judgment of the Awka high court had barred Mr Ozigbo from parading himself as the PDP candidate in the Anambra gubernatorial election coming up on November 6.
However, the appellate court has now set aside the decision on the grounds that the primary election which held at the professor Dora Akunyuli Women Center, Awka, of which produced Ozigbo as PDP candidate, was conducted in line with the law and the party’s guidelines.
Justice Dongban-Mensem also advised INEC not to be quick to undermine the emergence of a candidate elected by a political party.
In his words, “We set aside the position of Justice Obiorah Nwabunike of Anambra State High Court Awka, delivered on July 19, which had dismissed Ozigbo as winner of the PDP primary.
“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.”
