Valentine Ozigbo, an aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Anambra, has initiated legal action against the party regarding the outcome of the recent poll.
Ozigbo, who previously stood as the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the Anambra 2021 governorship election, has characterised the APC primary held on April 5 as “a fraud” and “a well-scripted illusion”.
The lawsuit has been filed at the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra’s capital, challenging the legitimacy of the primary election.
The suit names the APC, Nicholas Ukachukwu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants. It seeks to nullify Ukachukwu’s nomination and compel the party to recognise Ozigbo as the legitimate candidate.
According to court documents provided to journalists on Friday, the suit was submitted on Wednesday.
Represented by his legal team, which includes Umeh Kalu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and B.C. Igwilo, SAN, the lawsuit is supported by documentation from the party’s constitution, internal communications, and delegate registers.
The originating summons requests the court to ascertain whether the APC violated its regulations by allowing Ukachukwu to contest.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Ozigbo asserted that the party failed to conduct a valid primary, instead orchestrating a process rife with irregularities and violence.
“When institutions falter, it is the duty of conscience to rise,” he stated. “I have taken that stand—not for self, but for truth, for justice, and for Ndi Anambra.”
He further claimed that what transpired in Anambra was not a primary election but a manipulated process supported by a fraudulent delegate list. “A contrived delegate list filled with names unfamiliar to even the most seasoned party leaders was used for the guber primary,” he remarked.
“Real APC members were locked out while chaos reigned. There was no accreditation, no order; just thugs, violence, and a herd of hired hands masquerading as delegates.”
Ozigbo contended that the outcome of the primary election had been predetermined before the event commenced. He noted that the withdrawal of three aspirants from the race indicated their recognition of the fraudulent nature of the process.
“A primary is the party’s prerogative, yes; but the party must comply with its own rules. It must not make a mockery of its own constitution,” he asserted.
He pointed out that Ukachukwu did not fulfil the minimum requirements to contest, stating, “And yet, the party machinery was twisted to serve his ambition.”
“Now, Ukachukwu parades himself, declaring the theatre of deceit that April 5 represents as ‘free and fair’. It is an insult to the intelligence of our people and a stain on the integrity of our party.”
Ozigbo remarked that the APC in Anambra is facing a crisis while the party leadership remains silent. “The house is on fire—mass resignations, lawsuits, broken trust—and the so-called candidate dances, oblivious to the smoke and embers,” he noted.
He indicated that he had exhausted the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms, including letters to the appeal committees. “This is not to chase shadows or titles but to defend the values that matter: justice, fairness, and due process,” he stressed.
“It is not merely my candidacy at stake but the soul of our party and, by extension, our democracy.”
Ozigbo expressed that he is not desperate for power, stating that he seeks only what is just. “I believe the APC can be a home for reform, for leadership, for progress,” he affirmed.
“But we must be courageous enough to clean our house when wrong is done. We cannot afford to decorate deceit with silence.”
He clarified that his objective is not to dismantle the party but to strengthen it. “Our aim is not to fracture the party but to fortify it; to restore its integrity, renew its credibility, and secure its future as a vehicle for true democratic leadership,” he added.
“Let history record that when a corrupt process attempted to masquerade as legitimacy, we did not stay silent. We stood up. We spoke out. We acted for justice, for our children, and for the future we all deserve.”
Ukachukwu, a former member of the House of Representatives, secured the ticket at the party’s primary election held on April 5, winning against Ozigbo and other contenders by a significant margin. While Ozigbo garnered 67 votes, Edozie Madu and Johnbosco Onunkwo received 8 and 26 votes, respectively.
The Anambra governorship election is scheduled for November 8.
