The Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Presidential Campaign Council, has said that he would approach the highest court in the land to seek redress for the Appeal Court judgement that nullified his election as the APC candidate for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.
He also advised his supporters, party members and 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 State and Nigeria at large.”
This followed the judgement of the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, which on Monday set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja, removing Godswill Akpabio as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.
A three-member panel of justices read by Justice Danlami Senchi on Monday held that Akpabio failed to file a proof of arguments within the time provided by the rules.
The panel further ruled that Akpabio, an APC presidential aspirant, could not participate in the party’s valid primary, held on May 27 and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The INEC produced Udom Ekpoudom as a candidate.
In a statement personally signed by the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and made available to newsmen, Akpabio said, “My attention has been drawn to the judgement delivered by the Court of Appeal Abuja Division, directing the INEC to delist my name from their list as the APC senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District in the forthcoming 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.”
He stated further that, “while 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, to seek appropriate legal redress.
“I am aware that the Supreme Court of Nigeria has the final say in these matters. 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 Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large.”
