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Owerri Court Disqualifies 27 APC Chairmanship, 305 Councillorship Candidates Over Conduct of Primary Election
…Bars APC From Participating in Saturday’s LGA Poll

By Ekeh Chiemena, Owerri

A Magistrate Court sitting in Owerri, the Imo State capital has disqualified the 27 Chairmanship and 305 Councillorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 21 Imo State Local Government Elections over the party’s failure to comply with the Guidelines of the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) in the conduct of its primary election.

The Court also barred the party, APC and its candidates from participating in Saturday’s Local Government election in Imo state.

In a ruling in the case with No. CR/OMC/635/2024 and instituted by aggrieved APC members, Her Worship, Ifunanya Ekwerike maintained that the All Progressive Congress ought not to be in the Local Government election because it failed to conduct Chairmanship and Councillorship primaries in line with ISIEC guidelines.

Earlier, some aggrieved APC Aspirants under, Forum of APC Chairmanship and Councillorship Aspirants in Imo State had approached Chief Magistrate Court of Imo State, in the Owerri Magisterial District over non compliance to electoral provisions.

The court delivered this judgement following a report of discrepancies in the conduct of APC Chairmanship and Councillorship primaries in Imo state for the purposes of the September 21st proposed local government election across the 305 Wards in the state.

It could be recalled that the Forum, through its state spokesperson, Barr Lucky Ikwubuo (Onye Eze) vowed that its members would do everything possible to ensure that APC does not participate in the Saturdays LGA Election following its refusal to conduct a transparent, free, fair and credible primary election after the party allegedly extorted them of money valued over 3 million each.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will embark on his first official visit to the US as President on Monday, September 23, aiming to strengthen UAE-US ties.

During his meeting with President Joe Biden, the two leaders will focus on enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as the economy, investment, technology, renewable energy and climate action.

The UAE-US relationship, which spans more than five decades, is marked by robust economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching $31.4bn in 2023.

The US exported $24.8bn of goods and services to the UAE, marking a 19 per cent increase from 2022, resulting in an $18.3bn trade surplus – the fourth largest for the US globally.

The UAE’s trade with all 50 US states supports 166,000 American jobs, underscoring the economic significance of the relationship.

UAE-US collaboration across different sectors

Renewable energy will be a focal point, with the UAE’s Masdar company leading major investments in US states like Texas and California.

Read: Masdar acquires stake in US clean energy producer Terra-Gen

Technological collaboration is also critical, with partnerships between the UAE’s G42 and Microsoft Azure driving advancements in AI and cloud computing.

The visit will further address ongoing joint efforts in space exploration, with UAE entities working closely with NASA and US-based space companies.

The UAE’s investments in the US, valued at over $1tn, span sectors like real estate and renewable energy, contributing significantly to the US economy and job creation.

Ties are expected to deepen as Sheikh Mohamed and President Biden explore ways to enhance their countries’ shared vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.

As the Rivers State Local Government Area (LGA) elections approach, loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara have been confirmed as candidates under the African People’s Party (APP) platform.

Below is the list of candidates representing various LGAs:

1. Abua/Odual – Candidate to be announced
2. Ahoada-East – Chibudom Ezu
3. Ahoada-West – Mr. Iyekor Ikporo
4. Akuku-Toru – Hon. Mrs. Tonye Oniyide
5. Andoni – Hon. Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile
6. Asari-Toru – Hon. Sule Amachree
7. Bonny – Hon. Anengi Barasua
8. Degema – Dr. Harry Agiriye
9. Eleme – Chief Brain Gokpa
10. Emohua – Barr. David Omereji
11. Etche – Hon. John Ngubo Otamiri
12. Gokana – Hon. Monday Dumiye
13. Ikwerre – Barr. Isreal Abosi
14. Khana – Hon. Martins Nwigbo
15. Obio/Akpor – Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo
16. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni – Hon. Prince Isaac Umejuru
17. Ogu/Bolo – Ishmael Oforibika
18. Okrika – Hon. Igwe Achese
19. Omuma – Hon. Promise Reginald
20. Opobo/Nkoro – Enyiada Cookey-Gam
21. Oyigbo – Hon. Gift Okere
22. Port Harcourt – Ezebunwo Ichemati
23. Tai – Hon. Matthew Nenubari Dike

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has scheduled the LGA elections for October 5, 2024.