David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
An aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Innocent Ojike, has filed a suit challenging the outcome of the party’s primary election for the Oyi State Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ojike, who currently represents Oyi Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, is contesting APGA’s declaration of Kosisochukwu Ibemesi as the winner of the primary election conducted on May 23, 2026.
The suit, marked FHC/AWK/CS/173/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court in Awka by his counsel, Reuben Atabo (SAN). APGA, Ibemesi, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were listed as defendants in the case.
According to the court filings dated June 4, Ojike claimed that he secured the highest number of lawful votes cast during the primary election, polling 3,524 votes. He maintained that he was duly declared the winner by what he described as the legally recognised Returning Officer, Dr. Nnewaluem James.
The lawmaker argued that he remains the lawful candidate of APGA for the Oyi State Constituency election and cited Section 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 in support of his claims.
Among the 12 reliefs sought, Ojike is asking the court to nullify APGA’s declaration of Ibemesi as the winner of the primary election, which was announced on May 25, 2026.
He is also seeking an order directing APGA to submit his name to INEC as the party’s candidate for Oyi Constituency in the 2027 general election. In addition, he wants INEC to accept, publish, and recognise his candidature.
Ojike further requested the court to award N100 million in exemplary damages against APGA and Ibemesi.
The court is yet to fix a date for hearing in the matter.
