The Federal High Court, Abuja, has declared George Ogara as the
authentic governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
in Enugu state.
Justice Inyang Ekwo on Tuesday ordered that Mr Ogara’s name be
forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as
the duly nominated governorship candidate of the APC in Enugu state.
This, he said, was because Mr Ogara scored the highest votes cast in the
270 wards of the 17 local government areas of the state.
Mr Ogara had filed a suit against Ayogu Eze; the National Chairman of
the APC, Adams Oshiomhole; Moses Momoh and INEC before the court,
challenging Mr Eze’s emergence as the APC governorship candidate for
the March 2, elections.
Justice Ekwo, therefore, directed the INEC to recognise Mr Ogara as the
candidate of the APC for the purpose of 2019 governorship election in the
state.
He held that the direct primary election of the party that produced Mr
Ogara as the party’s governorship candidate was in compliance with the
party’s guidelines as well as the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).
The judge restrained INEC from accepting any other name than Mr
Ogara’s, for the purpose of the election in Enugu state.
“The plaintiff, having scored the highest number of votes cast by
members of the APC in Enugu state for the governorship direct primary
election at the 260 wards, is the nominated candidate of the APC,” the
judge said.
Justice Ekwo held that Mr Oshiomhole, Mr Momoh and the APC’s refusal,
neglect and/or failure to forward Mr Ogara’s name to INEC as the
candidate of APC contravened the law.
He also held that the refusal of INEC to publish Mr Ogara’s name as the
candidate of APC for the governorship election was contrary to
provisions of Section 87 (3) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and
Article 20 of the APC Constitution.
In his reaction, Mr Eze vowed to reclaim his ticket.
Mr Eze made the vow in a statement issued by his campaign
organisation’s chief spokesperson, Okey Ezirigwe, in Enugu on Tuesday.
Mr Ezirigwe said that the movement towards President Buhari’s re-
election and the decisive victory in the governorship elections in Enugu
State remained `unwaveringly’ on course.
“Our train is on the move. There is no stopping this great Rescue race to
victory
“Our lawyers have briefed us about a strange judgment by a Federal
High Court sitting in Abuja which tends to void the primaries conducted
by the party in Enugu State.
“We want our teeming party supporters to disregard this reckless
adventure from the bench, an adventure they knew would be discharged
in due course.
“Our lawyers have assured us that all necessary legal steps are being
taken to discharge this obvious miscarriage of justice within the next
couple of days.
“Our party faithful and supporters from across the parties should remain
calm and resolute while our lawyers are dealing with this minor
distraction and irritation.
“We are however, humbled by the overwhelming outpouring of
solidarity from our large supporters and ever growing support base, not
only from every corner of our dear Enugu but from beyond.
“We appreciate their calling our attention to a curious Abuja court order
which, as the saying goes, is really of no issue at all,” he said.
The spokesperson said Mr Eze remained the candidate of APC in Enugu
State.
He said that they were going on with their campaign in full assurance
that Mr Eze would emerge as the Governor of Enugu State in March 2.
Mr Ezirigwe said that the alleged celebration by the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) and its leadership over this judgment had further indicated
that Mr Eze was a big scare to the rattled PDP.
He called on the teeming supporters to ignore the court decision
“purchased by a desperate political party for their sponsored agent to
cause distraction” and continue with the already laid down campaign
programmes.
Mr Ezirigwe used the opportunity to congratulate the APC on the victory
secured at the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt in respect to the
Rivers State governorship and other candidates.


source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-east/310490-court-sacks-ayogu-eze-as-enugu-apc-governorship-candidate.html

Enugu state Governor is the best from South-East.
He will continue the Gud work.