Imo guber: LP disowns Ukaegbu, affirms Achonu’s candidacy
...Says Bayelsa court judgment fraudulent
The national leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has made it clear that a court judgment purportedly sacking its Imo State governorship candidate, Sen. Athan Achonu, was null and void.
The Party leadership under Julius Abure noted that the Bayelsa judgment was fraudulently procured by former members of the party whose intent is to deceive the public.
A statement signed by the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, in Abuja said, “The leadership of the Labour Party read with utter dismay the judgment entered against our candidate in the November governorship election in Imo State, Distinguished Sen. Athan Achonu.
“We can confirm that the judgment was fraudulently procured by our former but now suspended members led by Lamidi Apapa, and we have directed our legal team to appeal the judgment with immediate effect.
READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/fg-resumes-conditional-cash-transfer-as-thousands-benefit-in-ondo/
“This is not the first time we will be seeing such a back-door judgment. You recall that the Apapa group is known for propagating falsehood, misinformation, and a series of blackmail and this is yet another of their mischief.
“Not too long ago, we had intimated Nigerians, particularly our teaming party members of the activities of the Apapa-led renegades; how they have been moving around Nigeria shopping for a willing court that will do their bidding.
“The judgment in Bayelsa is akin to what transpired in Kano State recently where they procured a judgment against our party and against our Abia State then governor-elect. They have not relented on their evil mission hence this judgment in Bayelsa State, even against the territorial jurisdiction as required by the law of the land.
“The fraudulently procured judgment is against the doctrine of fair hearing, as provided by the 1999 constitution as the party candidate was not subject to the suit and, therefore, not aware of the ongoing litigation.”
According to him, the Apapa men constituted themselves into Petitioners and Defendants.
He added: “They sued and appeared for and against themselves and procured the back door judgment unknown to the candidate. The judgment will not stand; It cannot stand the fire in the court of Appeal and it cannot stand against the principles of the constitution.
“We, therefore, call on our supporters, especially those in Imo State to continue with their good works. They should not lose sleep over that judgment, as it will be vacated just like the Kano judgment.
“We also need to make it abundantly clear that the judgment has nothing to do with the national leadership of the party. The Barrister Julius Abure-led National Working Committee remains the authentic leadership of the party and nothing has changed. We, therefore, ask members of the public to disregard the purported judgment.”
