Valentine Ozigbo sues APC over Anambra guber primary, seeks fresh poll

Valentine Ozigbo, an aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Anambra, has filed a lawsuit against the party over the outcome of the poll.

Ozigbo, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Anambra 2021 governorship election, described the APC primary held on April 5 as “a fraud” and “a well-scripted illusion”.

Ozigbo filed the lawsuit at the federal high court in Awka, the Anambra state capital.

The suit, which names the APC, Nicholas Ukachukwu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants, seeks to nullify Ukachukwu’s nomination and compel the party to recognise Ozigbo as the rightful candidate.

According to the court document made available to journalists on Friday, the suit was filed on Wednesday.

Filed through his legal team led by Umeh Kalu, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and B.C. Igwilo, SAN, the suit includes supporting documentation from the party’s constitution, internal communications, and delegate registers.

The originating summons asked the court to determine whether the APC violated its rules by allowing Ukachukwu’s candidacy.

Also, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, Ozigbo said the party failed to conduct a legitimate primary and instead orchestrated a process filled with irregularities and violence.

“When institutions falter, it is the duty of conscience to rise,” he wrote.

“I have taken that stand—not for self, but for truth, for justice, and for Ndi Anambra.”

He said what took place in Anambra was not a primary election but a manipulated process backed by a fake delegate list.

“A contrived delegate list filled with names unfamiliar to even the most seasoned party leaders was used for the guber primary,” he added.

“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.”

He said the result of the primary election had already been decided before the process began.

Ozigbo said the withdrawal of three aspirants from the race showed they recognised the process as fraudulent.

“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 said.

He said Ukachukwu did not meet the minimum requirements to contest.

“And yet, the party machinery was twisted to serve his ambition,” he said.

“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 said the APC in Anambra is in 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 said.

He said 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 said.

“It is not merely my candidacy at stake but the soul of our party and, by extension, our democracy.”

He said he is not desperate for power and has only sought what is just.

“I believe the APC can be a home for reform, for leadership, for progress,” he said.

“But we must be courageous enough to clean our house when wrong is done. We cannot afford to decorate deceit with silence.”

He said his goal is not to destroy 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 house of representatives member, clinched the ticket at the party’s primary election conducted on April 5, after defeating Ozigbo and other contenders by a landslide.

While Ozigbo secured 67 votes, Edozie Madu and Johnbosco Onunkwo got 8 and 26 votes, respectively.

The Anambra governorship election will be held on November 8.