An aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Innocent Ojike, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Awka challenging the outcome of the party’s primary election for the Oyi State Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ojike, who represents Oyi Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, is contesting APGA’s declaration of Kosisochukwu Ibemesi as winner of the primary election held on May 23, 2026. APGA, Ibemesi and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are listed as defendants in the suit marked FHC/AWK/CS/173/2026.
In the court filings dated June 4, Ojike claimed he won the primary election with 3,524 votes and was duly declared winner by what he described as the legally recognised returning officer, Dr. Nnewaluem James.
The lawmaker argued that he remains the lawful APGA candidate 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 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 the constituency election and asking the electoral commission 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 has not fixed a date for hearing the case.
David-Chyddy Eleke
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