Iduma Enwo Igariwey, the representative for Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State, has categorically rejected claims that he was barred from participating in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.
Social media and news outlets had widely reported that Igariwey was disqualified from the party primaries. However, the lawmaker, who was declared the winner by the House of Representatives primary election committee for his constituency, insisted that no such disqualification occurred.
Igariwey accused mischief makers of deliberately inserting the name ‘Idu Igariwe’ into documents, which is not his official name, in an attempt to create confusion and mislead the public.
Expressing his satisfaction, he stated: “I feel great and very happy about my victory in the House of Representatives primaries for Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency. It shows the confidence my constituency has in me after years of representation. The outcome was resounding, and I am deeply grateful.”
He further explained: “Nobody disqualified me. The document circulating does not bear my correct name. It lists ‘Iduma Igariwey Enwo,’ which is my actual legal name. So, the rumor is completely foreign to me.”
The lawmaker elaborated on the legal requirements for disqualification: “As a seasoned lawmaker serving my third term and heading for a fourth, and having been part of the constitutional review committee since 2015, I am well-versed in the constitution and electoral act. Section 85 of the Electoral Act stipulates that disqualification of an aspirant must follow constitutional guidelines. Factors like incorrect certificates, insufficient age, or membership in a secret society are grounds, but only after a fair hearing. You cannot simply wake up and disqualify someone without due process.”
He reiterated: “What is being spread is not about me. They wrote ‘Idu Igariwe,’ which is not my name. I am Iduma Enwo Igariwey. Someone may have tried to smuggle in something that shouldn’t be there.”
Earlier, Alphonsus Nwali, chairman of the primary election panel, confirmed that Igariwey won with 5,368 votes in Edda and 9,785 votes in Afikpo, totaling 15,157 votes, securing his candidacy for the 2027 elections.