Senator Uche Ekwunife has confirmed her defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the People’s Democratic Party to become the party’s candidate in the Anambra Central zone senatorial rerun poll.
The Court of Appeal Tribunal, Enugu Division on Dec 7, nullified Ekwunife’s initial declaration as winner of the March 28, last year election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last year.
Ekwunife told journalists yesterday: “It is better now for me to join the APC. Let the heat be there. I am already on campaigns for my return to the senate to complete my contract with the people of Anambra Central district.”
She said she would officially announce her defection to her constituents today at her campaign office in Awka, the state capital.
But the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the immediate past national chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, expressed surprise at the development, insisting that Ekwunife was not a candidate in the last election; hence cannot come in now.
He cited a Supreme Court case in Labour Party vs INEC in 2009 that it was only a validly nominated candidate in a nullified election that would participate in a re-run poll.