The Supreme Court in Abuja has affirmed Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the rightful candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the November 6 governorship election coming up in Anambra state.
In an appeal filed by Mr Jude Okeke which sought to challenge the candidacy of Charles Soludo as the flag bearer of APGA, A 5-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Mary Odili upheld the decision of the Kano division of the court of appeal which dismissed the suit by Jude.
According to channels television, the apex court ordered Jude Okeke to pay the sum of N1 million to Victor Oye and APGA. Victor Oye was also affirmed by the apex court as the chairman of the party. Recall Soludo emerged from the primary election that was organised by the Chief Victor Oye-led faction of APGA.
What you should know
Soludo is a Nigerian economics professor and a former governor and chairman of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria. On May 29 2004, he was appointed the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He is also a member of the British Department for International Development’s International Advisory Group.
Charles Soludo is the APGA governorship candidate for the November 6 election set to take place in Anambra state. In September, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to acknowledge Soludo as APGA’s candidate in the forthcoming election.
In September, Nairametrics reported that the Chief Justice of Nigeria ordered disciplinary action against a judge of the Abuja area court over issuance of criminal summons on Soludo.
Following various security issues emanating from the state, the federal government warned that a state of emergency might be imposed in Anambra state to ensure peaceful conduct of the election. Constitutionally, where there is large scale disaster or anarchy, a state of emergency could be declared in a region.