Outrage over alleged impersonation of AA Candidate sparks protest

According to a Vanguard report on September 11th, 2023, a significant number of activists and supporters, amounting to at least 500, gathered at the Force Headquarters in Abuja to protest against the alleged impersonation of Ifeanyi Chukwuka Igbokwe, a prominent figure in the Action Alliance party. The spokesperson for the protesters, Abel Kings Uche, called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the criminal act committed by the faction of the Action Alliance party led by Adekunle Rufai Omoaje.

The protesters, organized under the banner of the Centre for Social Justice, Equity, and Transparency (CESJET), stated that Omoaje had filed an Election Petition on behalf of Igbokwe at the National and State House of Assembly Election Tribunal in Umuahia. However, Uche asserted that Igbokwe had provided substantial documentary evidence to prove that he was not involved in the petition and accused the executives led by Omoaje of impersonating him.

Uche clarified that although Igbokwe had participated in the primary election of the Action Alliance, he withdrew his interest when he discovered that a faction within the party conducted the primary. Consequently, Igbokwe did not run as a candidate for the Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State election during the 2023 General Election. The position was won by Rt. Honorable Benjamin Kalu Okezie, who currently serves as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Furthermore, Uche highlighted that Adekunle Rufai Omoaje's presentation of the petition in court was an attempt to tarnish the reputation and integrity of Mr. Ifeanyi Chukwuka Igbokwe. This action is considered to infringe upon Igbokwe's fundamental human rights and constitutes defamation and fraud, both of which are criminal offenses under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity, and Transparency firmly believes that the impersonator and those supporting him have engaged in a criminal act that goes against the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.