Chidiebere Iwuoha, Owerri
The Labour Party (LP) factional governorship candidate in Imo state, Senator Athan Achonu, Friday, lost at the Appeal Court sitting in Owerri, when a three-man panel dismissed his suit and upheld Joseph Ukaegbu as the authentic candidate of the party for the November 11 election in the state.
Another claimant to the position, Sir Basil Maduka, had gone to court to stop Ukaegbu, claiming that his own faction was the authentic one but the court thought otherwise.
Achonu had also lost at a High Court in Bayelsa state some weeks ago and might not be contesting the next election, unless the Supreme Court decides in his favour.
He had severally dissociated himself from all court matters involving Joseph Ukaegbu, saying he was not part of his case and that he was being sponsored by the ruling party and the party’s detractors.
