The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State took another twist as a High Court of Abia State, sitting in Umuahia, on Thursday, affirmed the suspension a gubernatorial aspirant of the APC Abia State Chapter Chief Ikechi Emenike and revoked his membership from the APC, as handed down by his Ward.
The Court presided over by Hon. Justice A.O. Chijioke in the Judgment held that by the suspension of Emenike it has denied him all membership privileges as provided by the APC Constitution.
The purport of this judgment is that Chief Ikechi Emenike is not fit to participate and/or contest in the ongoing primaries of the APC in Abia State, until the judgment is set aside and/or upturned on Appeal.
The judgment delivered in Suit No.: HU/6/2022: Chinedum Nnoke& 2 Others. V. High Chief Ikechi Emenike & 3 Others, filed by three (3) members of the Abia State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the membership status being accorded to Chief Ikechi Emeinike, despite his subsisting suspension by the Nkwoegwu Ward of the APC, for anti – party activities.
The three (3) claimants in the Suit were represented by Anaga Kalu Anaga Esq, while Chief IkechiEmenike and the APC were represented by Vitalis C.Nwankwo Esq.
Reacting to the judgment,Anaga Kalu Esq. commended the Court for a detailedexposition of the Law, as it concerns membership rights, disciplinary measures and effects thereof on political party membership, with particular reference to the APC and her constitution.
Commenting further on the judgement, another APC stalwart, Chief Ifegwu Uduma said the judgment could definitely have a great impact on the permutations and plans of the APC in Abia State, but regretted that most credible contestants under the APC have jumped ship into other Parties before the judgment.
It is clear from this judgment that Chief Ikechi Emenike has been excluded from the APC’sprimaries in Abia, thereby throwing the race for the Abia State governorship ticket of the APC, open to the remaining contenders within the Party.