Anambra: Ekwunife withdraws suit against APGA candidate

Member of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, has withdrawn a suit she filed to challenge the eligibility of the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in the Anambra State governorship election, Chief Willie Obiano.

Ekwunife, who was the first runner-up to Obiano in the APGA primaries, told our correspondent on Thursday that she had to withdraw the matter after she came under intense pressure from the church, traditional rulers, well-wishers and family members.

“I have been under pressure for some time now. I am withdrawing the matter,” she said, saying that she had already instructed her lawyers to file the necessary papers to withdraw the suit.

She reaffirmed her loyalty to Governor Peter Obi; the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh; and the entire leadership of the party.

She had gone to court during the week to get the court to declare that Obiano, having registered as a voter more than once, committed a criminal offence under the Electoral Act.

Ekwunife, who is currently representing Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia constituency in the House, emphasised that her action was not done in bad faith but to ensure the survival of the party in the likely event of the success of suits filed by some members of opposing parties against Obiano.

The leader of the Anambra and APGA caucuses in the House of Representatives said if she had waited to go to court after the conclusion of the election, it would have become too late for her as the matter would become a post-election issue, which could only be taken up by those that participated in the election.

While urging those taking interest in the matter not to approach it with sentiments, Ekwunife said that her action was purely precautionary and aimed at giving the party an option should anything untoward happened in court.

PUNCH NG