APGA chieftain drags party, council chair, others to court Over Alleged Marginalisation of Nri Community

A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, Victor Ikechukwu Okeke, has filed a suit at the State High Court sitting in Neni, challenging what he describes as the sustained political exclusion of the Nri community in Anaocha Local Government Area.

In a suit filed by originating summons, Okeke is challenging APGA’s pattern of nominations for the Anaocha II State Assembly seat and the Anaocha Local Government chairmanship. He argues that no indigene of Nri has been allowed to occupy either position since 1999.

Listed as defendants in the suit are APGA’s Anambra State chapter, the member representing Anaocha II in the State House of Assembly, Ejike Okechukwu, and the Chairman of Anaocha Local Government Area.

Basis of the Suit

Okeke, who describes himself as a longstanding APGA member from Nri Ward 2, alleges that while other towns in Anaocha LGA have repeatedly produced candidates and office holders, Nri has been consistently overlooked.

He contends that the pattern amounts to political marginalisation and violates both Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits discrimination, and provisions of the APGA constitution that emphasise equity, fairness, and inclusion in party affairs.

A central plank of his argument is the party’s recognised zoning and rotation practice. The plaintiff notes that APGA has historically rotated the governorship among Anambra State’s three senatorial districts and argues that a similar principle of power-sharing ought to apply at the local government and constituency levels in Anaocha.

Issues for Determination

Okeke is asking the court to determine whether APGA can lawfully continue to nominate candidates for the Anaocha II Assembly seat and the Anaocha LGA chairmanship without extending the opportunity to Nri under what he describes as an established rotational arrangement.

He also claims that the current lawmaker and the council chairman made campaign representations suggesting that Nri would be given the opportunity to produce candidates in future elections assurances he says influenced political support within the community.

Reliefs Sought

Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiff is asking for declaratory orders affirming that indigenes of Nri are entitled to equitable consideration in the nomination process for the two offices.

He is further seeking a declaration that the continued nomination of candidates without regard to Nri’s participation is unconstitutional, unlawful, and contrary to APGA’s own rules.

In addition, Okeke seeks an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, or privies from fielding candidates for the positions unless Nri wards are first given the opportunity to produce nominees in line with the alleged rotational practice.

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