The factional chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Cross River State, John Ogar, has described the governorship candidate of the party uploaded by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as an imposter.
Few days ago, INEC announced Mrs Nkoyo Toyo, former Nigerian ambassador to Ethiopia, as the candidate of the ADC even though the party was in court over parallel conduct of primary elections and authentic leadership at both national and state levels.
In a statement he released on Wednesday, Ogar alleged that Toyo belongs to “a rogue faction whose actions fundamentally contradict the principles and values the ADC stands for”.
The faction warned against deceiving members of the public and party supporters.
“Both the High Court and the Court of Appeal have decisively annulled these exercises, with substantial costs awarded against this faction.
“Rather than seeking internal reconciliation, this faction surreptitiously proceeded to file a stay of execution at the Court of Appeal aimed at invalidating the appellate court’s ruling, and consistently taking new dates to delay the hearing of the case. It is a known fact that they deliberately concealed the filed stay of execution from the Legacy ADC,” he said.
The governorship candidate in Ogar’s camp, called Legacy Group, Dr Effiong Nyong, said in addition to all the judicial victories at high and appeal courts, they have further moved to the Supreme Court, and was hopeful that by next week the apex court’s verdict will favour them and chart a way forward.
The Nkoyo Toyo’s group have denied that they surreptitiously obtained a stay of action court order, saying they have refused to be distracted.
‘INEC uploaded imposter as ADC guber candidate for Cross River’ – John Ogar