INEC didn’t remove me as PDP candidate for Abor/Ngor Okpala seat, says Agulanna

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP House of Representatives candidate for Abor Mbaise/Ngor-Okpala Federal Constituency, Albert Agulanna has debunked media reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission has delisted him as a candidate for Saturday’s poll.

The purported report had alleged that Agulanna’s removal by INEC followed the court order by the Appeal Court delivered in January.

From the document presented to The Guardian by the Imo PDP candidate, his name still occupied number 11 on the list of INEC as contestants for the National Assembly election as at Wednesday, 22, February 2023.

Speaking to the Guardian over the telephone, Agulanna described the report as fake, unfounded, misleading, unfortunate, mischievous and the handwork of those who are afraid of his capacity to clinch victory at the poll.

“Go to page 248 IMO state, on the INEC website, you will see my name,” Agulanna said.

He urged his teeming supporters, members of his party and constituents to disregard what he described as a fallacious report and turn up massively come Saturday to vote for him.

He insisted that among other candidates, he is the most qualified, credible and people’s choice for effective representation and leadership services if elected.

Also, a chieftain of the party, Chinedu Mbah told the Guardian, “INEC published their official final list for the 2023 general election as Engr. Albert Agulanna remains the PDP candidate.

“Also, yesterday the PDP presented the party flag to him during their LGA rally in Aboh Mbaise as their authentic candidate.

“Kindly disregard contrary information regarding this being spread by those who are not ready to go to the polls with the candidate.”

It could be recalled that in January, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had nullified the Imo PDP primaries that produced Agulanna as a candidate and ordered that a fresh primary be held in the constituency within the next 14 days.

Agulanna also approached the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the appellate court.

The apex court, on Tuesday, resumed hearing on the suit and after adopting processes, adjourned the case till March 3 for a ruling.