By Frank Ulom
The ZANA LEAGUE has challenged legal arguments advanced by Joseph Odok, PhD, Esq., over the eligibility of Prof Zana Itiunbe Akpagu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra (OBO) Federal Constituency, following the appearance of his name on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the 2027 House of Representatives election.
In a statement, the group questioned Odok’s interpretation of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026 and his reliance on the statutory requirements governing political party membership registers to argue that Akpagu should be disqualified.
The group maintained that the controversy should be assessed against documentary evidence, the applicable electoral law and the circumstances surrounding Akpagu’s transition from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the PDP.
It also questioned the legal basis for the challenge to Akpagu’s candidacy, insisting that allegations of disqualification must be supported by verifiable facts and sound legal reasoning.
ZANA LEAGUE cites Akpagu’s ADC resignation
At the centre of the dispute is Akpagu’s reported resignation from the ADC, dated 26 April 2026.
According to the group, the resignation letter was acknowledged at ward level by Pastor Emmanuel Ugar Ugwakong, identified as the ADC ward chairman.
In the letter, Akpagu reportedly requested that his name be removed from the party’s membership records, citing the crisis and legal uncertainties surrounding the ADC.
The resignation was also reported by Punch on 8 May 2026 in a story titled, “2027: Ex-UNICAL VC resigns from ADC, cites party crisis”.
ZANA LEAGUE argued that the resignation letter, its reported acknowledgment and contemporaneous media reports were relevant to determining the circumstances of Akpagu’s political transition.
The group said any legal assessment of his eligibility should consider the available documentary evidence rather than proceed on the assumption that he remained a member of the ADC after his reported resignation.
Group questions interpretation of 21-day rule
The group said Odok’s argument reportedly centres on Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly the provisions concerning political parties’ membership registers and their submission to INEC within the prescribed period.
It outlined the chronology of events as follows: the reported submission of the ADC membership register on 18 March 2026, the PDP register on 24 April 2026, Akpagu’s reported resignation from the ADC on 26 April 2026 and his emergence through the PDP nomination process on 17 May 2026.
ZANA LEAGUE argued that the sequence of events should be examined alongside the precise wording of the law, its interpretation and any relevant judicial decisions.
It maintained that citing a statutory provision in isolation was insufficient to establish that Akpagu was ineligible to contest the election.
According to the group, the legal issues include the distinction between party membership records, resignation from a political party, nomination by another party and the legal consequences that may arise from those events.
It called for a proper examination of whether the provision, when applied to the documented circumstances, supports the disqualification claim against the PDP candidate.
The group also said legal arguments should be assessed on the strength of the applicable statute, evidence and judicial authorities rather than the confidence with which they are presented.
Akpagu’s PDP nomination raises questions over challenge
Akpagu reportedly emerged as the sole aspirant and was affirmed unopposed during the PDP nomination exercise for the OBO Federal Constituency on 17 May 2026.
ZANA LEAGUE said the absence of a rival aspirant in the nomination process raised questions about the legal basis for any challenge to his emergence.
It argued that anyone seeking to challenge a candidate’s nomination must establish the legal standing required under the applicable law and demonstrate that the relief being sought is available.
However, the group acknowledged that the question of standing must ultimately be determined by the relevant statutory provisions, the nature of the claim and the specific facts presented before a competent court.
It maintained that political disagreement with a candidate’s emergence does not, by itself, establish a legal right to institute proceedings against that candidate.
INEC final list draws attention to eligibility dispute
The reported inclusion of Akpagu’s name on INEC’s final list has added another dimension to the dispute over his eligibility.
ZANA LEAGUE argued that the development should prompt a closer examination of the evidence and legal provisions underpinning the disqualification claim.
The group, however, did not present INEC’s listing as a substitute for judicial determination of any properly constituted legal challenge.
It maintained that allegations of ineligibility must be established through the appropriate legal processes and cannot be treated as proven simply because they have been repeatedly made in public.
The group urged those involved in the controversy to distinguish between political criticism and legally substantiated claims, stressing that official electoral records, relevant legislation and applicable court decisions should guide any assessment of the matter.
Group criticises Odok’s public arguments
The statement also criticised Odok’s reported confidence in his disqualification argument, using the expression “dancing shoes” to question whether his position would withstand legal scrutiny.
ZANA LEAGUE said the expression had become part of the political exchanges surrounding the dispute but maintained that the substantive issue was the accuracy of the legal arguments being advanced.
It further questioned the use of public declarations and personal attacks in a controversy that, according to the group, required a dispassionate examination of the law and documentary evidence.
The group insisted that Akpagu’s critics were entitled to scrutinise his candidacy but should base their arguments on verifiable facts and sound legal reasoning.
It said personal disagreements or preconceived conclusions should not replace an objective assessment of the circumstances surrounding the PDP candidate’s emergence.
OBO 2027: Group calls for issue-based political debate
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum, ZANA LEAGUE called for greater attention to representation, accountability, competence and the future of the OBO Federal Constituency.
The group said residents of Obudu, Bekwarra and Obanliku deserved a political debate informed by credible information and focused on issues affecting the constituency.
It maintained that candidates and their critics had the right to express their positions but urged the public to assess competing arguments on their merits.
ZANA LEAGUE concluded that Odok’s disqualification arguments, in its assessment, were legally unpersuasive and insufficiently grounded in the documented circumstances of Akpagu’s political transition.
The group said the dispute should ultimately be determined by the applicable law and lawful electoral processes, rather than political rhetoric or personal convictions.
It added that the interests of the OBO Federal Constituency should remain central to discussions about the 2027 election.
