Chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the Southwest, Dr. Samson Olalere, has chided some elements in the party, accusing them of shopping for judgments to pervert people’s will and puncture the chance of the party in the November governorship poll in Anambra State.

Olalere made this known while speaking with The Guardian in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The party has been engulfed in crises with three of its candidates elected by various factions. One of them is Prof. Charles Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. After his election by the Dr. Victor Ike Oye-led faction, his name was missing in the register of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He was, however, reinstated by a court.

Olalere said: “The reinstatement of Prof. Charles Soludo is a right step in the right direction. If you look deeply at the judgment, it addressed the foundation of the issue in contention.

“The court made it clear that Dr. Victor Ike Oye remains the authentic national chairman and the sole person who can act on behalf of the party in the submission of candidates’ name to INEC. It is unfortunate that the judge of a Jigawa High Court could desecrate the judiciary by ordering the inclusion of Umeoji as APGA standard-bearer.

“This man never participated in the party’s primary. There is no faction in APGA. It is just some over-ambitious fellows who believe they can buy judgment to foist themselves on the people, to pervert the people’s will and choice. They are the ones that are attempting to trouble the party.

“I say categorically that there is no power or leadership tussle in APGA. The leadership of the party came to be through a legitimate convention held in May 2019 and this subsists until 2023 when another convention will usher in a new leadership.

“The appeal court judgment in a case at the Ibadan division is clear on how a national chairman of APGA can be legitimately removed from office.”

He said winning the November 6 election by APGA is not in jeopardy. According to him, “APGA is the party to beat in the Anambra governorship contest, hence the moves from every side to scuttle the party’s efforts at all fronts, even by opposition political parties.”