.As APGA Intensifies Court Action
There is fire on the mountain for six Lawmakers of Imo State House of Assembly if what this newspaper gathered are considered.
The Imo State chapter of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA is set to reclaim its mandate given to specific members of the 9th Assembly.
They are Honorables; Amara Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele), Paul Emeziem (Onuimo), Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano), Ekene Nnodumele (Orsu), Chidiebere Ogbunikpa (Okigwe), and Michael Onyemaechi Njoku (Ihitte Uboma).
The aforementioned won the 2019 elections under APGA, but later defected following the then political tide in the State.
However, the “kokorokoo” party this time is leaving no stone unturned in sending them parking for leaving the party’s platform for another.
A federal high court sitting in Owerri will on Thursday 14th July 2022 continue to hear a suit between the leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and six Lawmakers who won their elections on the platform of the party.
When the matter in suit no FHC/OW/SC/27 was called up yesterday 15th June 2022, the presiding judge, Justice Bello, wanted to know whether the six Lawmakers actually defected to another party after winning elections on the tickets of APGA.
Consequently, the motion on stay of execution was struct out to enable the honourable court to hear the substantive suit.
The legal Chief, legal officer representing INEC, Mrs Onyemalukwe, the lawyer representing APGA, Mr C.I. Asika Ilobi and the lawyers representing the accused persons all agreed on the adjourned date.
Speaking to pressmen at the court after the matter was adjourned, Barr Asika Ilobi said they wanted to determine whether the accused lawmakers have right to defect to another party having won on the platform of different party. The APGA lawyer said that the outcome of the legal fireworks will deepen democracy in the country and will in a long way shapen the electoral process in Nigeria.
Also speaking to newsmen at the court, the state Chairman of APGA, Hon John Iwuala cited the case ruled by supreme court of Nigeria between Rotimi Amaechi and PDP where the apex court ruled that it’s the party rather than individuals that win elections in Nigeria.
He opined that apart from the affected Lawmakers to forfeit their seats as legislators, they should also refund every salary and entitlement they have so far collected as members of the state Assembly.
The state Secretary of the party, Pastor Alphonsus Eberendu, the Owerri zonal Chairman, Mr Cosmos Unakalamba, the Owerri zonal woman leader, Lady Grace Ugo, Engr Udensi and Hon. Emeka Nkwoada, the state Publicity Secretaries were cited in the court.
