Anambra polls: Appeal Court upholds ex-Transcorp CEO Valentine Ozigbo as PDP’s valid candidate

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday declared Valentine Ozigbo as the validly elected governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 6 governorship election in Anambra.

President of the Court Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, leading a three-man panel, held that the appeal filed by Mr Ozigbo, challenging the judgement of the Awka High Court had merit.

The appellate court set aside the decision of the Akwa High Court and declared it null and void.

It also awarded the sum of N10 million exemplary cost in favor of Ozigbo.

The High Court had barred Ozigbo, a former president and group chief executive officer of Transcorp Plc, from parading himself as PDP candidate.

The primary was conducted on June 26 at the Prof Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Center, Awka.

Head of the electoral panel Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu announced that Ozigbo polled 62 votes to win the primary.

Obiora Okonkwo placed second with 58 votes while Senator Uche Ekwunife came third on 44 votes.