In a decision that has stirred public concern and ignited debate within political and legal circles, the Federal High Court sitting in Awka on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, dismissed a suit filed by frontline governorship aspirant, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, challenging the emergence of Mr. Nicholas Ukachukwu as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the upcoming Anambra State election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
Mr. Ozigbo, a respected business leader and former governorship candidate, had approached the court seeking to invalidate the outcome of the APC primary held on April 5, 2025. His legal team, led by two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs)—Umeh Kalu and Berth Igwilo—argued that Mr. Ukachukwu did not meet the constitutional requirements of the APC to participate in the primary election, alleging that his party membership was backdated in violation of party rules and electoral guidelines.
Despite what many observers described as a compelling and well-documented case—including sworn affidavits from APC officials and internal party records—Justice Evelyn Anyadike ruled that the matter fell outside the jurisdiction of the court to intervene in what was deemed an internal affair of a political party.
In her ruling, Justice Anyadike acknowledged that there were “discrepancies worthy of concern” in the documentation surrounding Mr. Ukachukwu’s membership status. However, she maintained that the plaintiff failed to present “incontrovertible proof” that the APC breached its own constitution or that the candidate’s backdated membership was illegal beyond reasonable doubt.
“The court cannot interfere in the internal matters of a political party where the plaintiff has not provided clear and unassailable proof of breach,” she ruled.
While the court sided with Ozigbo on several procedural points, including concerns about irregularities in the primary process, the core relief sought—nullification of Ukachukwu’s candidacy—was ultimately declined.
Outside the courtroom, the verdict was met with visible disappointment by a large crowd of Ozigbo’s supporters who had gathered in anticipation of a favorable judgment. Many expressed frustration at what they described as a failure of the judiciary to uphold party rules and electoral integrity.
In a post-ruling address, Mr. Ozigbo described the court’s decision as a “sad day for the rule of law,” expressing disappointment that substantial evidence was seemingly disregarded.
“We came to court armed with truth, with documents, with testimonies, only to be told that due process no longer matters,” he said.
“If a person who fails to meet a party’s constitutional provisions can bypass the process through forgery and still emerge unchallenged, then we must all ask: what does that say about our democracy?”
Despite the outcome, Ozigbo reaffirmed his commitment to justice and democratic values, stating that his legal team would review the judgment and determine the next course of action.
“I did not fight this case for myself,” he said. “I fought for Ndi Anambra. I fought to defend the sanctity of our democracy. That fight is far from over.”
He added that the legal battle was about principles, not politics.
“This was never just about candidacy. It was about rejecting a culture of impunity and upholding accountability. Unfortunately, the court blinked.”
Within the APC in Anambra, reactions have been divided. While some party members welcomed the court’s decision as a means to restore focus and unity, others expressed concerns about the long-term consequences of tolerating internal irregularities.
Chief Tony Offiah, a prominent member of the Valentine Ozigbo Political Organisation, described the ruling as a missed opportunity to cleanse the party’s internal processes.
“This is not a victory,” Offiah said. “It is a dangerous signal that political manipulation can be rewarded under the cover of technicalities.”
Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ozigbo concluded:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Today may belong to impunity, but tomorrow belongs to the people.”