On Monday, December 2, 2024, tensions continued to escalate within the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the controversy surrounding the refund of N3 million nomination fees imposed on local government chairmanship aspirants during the September 21, 2024, local government elections.
The dispute arose after the APC, under the leadership of state chairman Dr. Macdonald Ebere, collected N3 million from each chairmanship aspirant as a compulsory fee. This move sparked widespread controversy, leading to an agreement that the fees would be refunded to the aspirants to promote party unity, as publicly stated by the state governor.
One of the aspirants, Evans Anozie from Owerri Municipal, has taken legal action by approaching a high court in Owerri to seek redress. Anozie is demanding N50 million in special, general, and exemplary damages. He claims he paid the N3 million nomination fee to contest for the chairmanship seat, but the election was later canceled by Dr. Ebere, who allegedly imposed his own nominee as the sole candidate.
Anozie’s legal team, led by Professor Francis Dike SAN, argues that the arbitrary decision caused significant tension between Anozie and Dr. Ebere, who allegedly threatened to take action against him. The lawyers also contend that it was agreed by the party leadership, including the governor, that all aspirants would be refunded their nomination fees in the interest of harmony.
Following this agreement, Anozie applied for the refund and was issued a cheque for N3 million drawn on the APC’s account at UBA PLC. However, when Anozie presented the cheque on October 16 and 18, 2024, it was returned unpaid on both occasions. The cheque was reportedly returned despite assurances that there were sufficient funds in the account.
Anozie’s lawyers claim that the non-payment was due to actions taken by Dr. Ebere, who allegedly countermanded the cheque without providing any explanation. The legal team further asserts that this delay and the lack of payment have caused significant financial loss and distress to Anozie, who has spent considerable time and energy pursuing the refund.
At the upcoming court hearing, Anozie’s lawyers will argue that Dr. Ebere’s actions amounted to impunity, and that the case warrants exemplary damages for the breach of contract and failure to honor the refund.
