Ifeanyi Ararume: Huge Win As APC Senator-Elect Emerges Victorious in Court

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been issued a 72-hour ultimatum to issue a certificate of return to Ifeanyi Ararume based on the result of the December 5, 2020, Imo North Senatorial bye-election.

The ultimatum was given in an order issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, March 18, Premium Times reported.

Ararume @OfficialPigo(Source: Twitter)

Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that having been declared as the valid candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ararume should be awarded a certificate of return by the electoral commission.

The judge stated that the earlier judgment of the court had confirmed Ararume as the winner of the election.

PM News reported that the judge pointed out that the third defendant, Chukwuma Ibezim, remained disqualified with regard to the judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Justice Taiwo also dismissed Ibezim’s application seeking a stay of the judgment, pending the hearing and determination of the suit before the Supreme Court.

Ibezim and Araraume had fielded themselves as APC candidates prior to the election.

Meanwhile, Olaifa Jimoh Aremu (OJA), a House of Representatives member representing Egbado North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency has formally defected to the APC.

This was contained in a letter read on the House floor by speaker Femi Gbajabiamila on Wednesday, March 17.

Prior to his defection, he was a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).