APGA Primary Crisis Deepens as Anambra Lawmaker Drags Party, INEC to Court Over Alleged Result Manipulation
Oyi legislator Innocent Ojike seeks recognition as APGA's authentic candidate, demands ₦100 million damages and asks court to nullify rival's victory.
Fresh controversy has engulfed the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State as a serving lawmaker, Hon. Innocent Ojike, has filed a lawsuit against the party, INEC and rival aspirant Kosisochukwu Ibemesi, alleging that his victory in the party’s primary election was unlawfully overturned. The lawmaker is seeking court recognition as the rightful winner and demanding ₦100 million in damages.
A major political battle has erupted within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) after an Anambra State lawmaker dragged the party, INEC and a fellow aspirant to court over the outcome of the party’s primary election.
Hon. Innocent Ojike, who represents Oyi State Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Awka challenging the declaration of Kosisochukwu Ibemesi as winner of APGA’s May 23, 2026 primary election.
The suit, filed through his counsel, Reuben Atabo (SAN), seeks to overturn the party’s decision and secure judicial recognition of Ojike as APGA’s authentic candidate for the 2027 election.
Ojike Claims Victory Was Stolen
According to court documents, Ojike alleged that he lawfully won the primary election and was officially declared winner at the Oyi Local Government collation centre after securing 3,524 votes.
The lawmaker claimed that the result was announced by the legally recognised returning officer, Dr. Nnewaluem James, before another result later emerged in favour of Ibemesi.
Ojike insists that he remains the validly elected candidate and cited provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 in support of his claim.
Seeks Court Declaration and ₦100 Million Damages
Among the reliefs sought, the legislator is asking the court to nullify APGA’s declaration of Ibemesi as winner of the primary election announced on May 25, 2026.
He is also requesting an order compelling APGA to submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s lawful candidate for the 2027 general election.
In addition, Ojike is demanding ₦100 million in damages against APGA and Ibemesi over what he described as the unlawful substitution of his victory.
Protest Rocks Government House
The lawsuit comes days after hundreds of APGA supporters from Oyi Local Government Area staged a protest at the Anambra State Government House.
The protesters accused party leaders of manipulating the primary election result and denying Ojike victory despite allegedly winning the contest.
Placards displayed during the demonstration carried messages such as:
“Ojicam is the authentic winner,”
“Our votes must count,”
and
“We demand justice, not political fraud.”
Allegations of Voting Irregularities
Some party stakeholders also raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the election process.
APGA State Treasurer, Chief Uchenna Oraegbunam, reportedly questioned figures recorded in parts of the primary election, alleging that certain wards produced more votes than the number of accredited voters.
According to him, allowing such alleged discrepancies to stand could undermine the credibility of the party ahead of future elections.
Court Battle Begins
As political tensions continue to rise within APGA, attention is now focused on the Federal High Court, which is expected to determine the legitimacy of the disputed primary election.
