Godswill Akpabio, former Niger Delta Affairs minister, says he plans to approach the Supreme Court to seek redress over the Appeal Court judgement nullifying his senatorial candidature for Akwa Ibom North West.

Mr Akpabio, the vice-chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Uyo.

“My lawyers, on my advice and brief, have commenced the scrutiny of the contents of the judgement as read for the purposes of seeking appropriate legal redress,” said the ex-minister. “I am aware that the Supreme Court of Nigeria has the final say in these matters.”

On Monday, the Abuja Court of Appeal directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delist Mr Akpabio’s name from the senatorial list.

The senatorial hopeful, however, said the orders were made against his interest.

“Whilst awaiting a copy of the said judgment to be made available to me and any other interested party, it is important to state that I am a lawyer by training and a law-abiding citizen of this country, and I am bound by our laws and judgments emanating from our courts including the one under reference,” he said.

He advised his supporters and APC members to “remain calm and law-abiding as they continue their campaigns for the successes of the APC in Akwa Ibom North West, Akwa Ibom and Nigeria at large.”

On September 15, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court ordered INEC to accept and publish Mr Akpabio’s name as the APC candidate.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a judgment, held that INEC’s refusal to accept and publish Mr Akpabio’s name contradicted the law, having received the name from the APC as its valid candidate.

(NAN)