Some leaders of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have called on Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo to intervene and stop former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, from contesting the Anambra North Senatorial seat in the 2027 elections.
The party stakeholders said their demand was based on Oduah’s alleged involvement in a N2.5 billion fraud case and what they described as unresolved discrepancies in her academic credentials submitted for previous elections.
The leaders, operating under the platform of Concerned Anambra North Stakeholders (CANS), expressed concern that allowing Oduah to participate in APGA’s senatorial primary could expose the party to legal and reputational challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a petition dated May 4 and addressed to Governor Soludo, the group urged the governor to prevail on the party leadership to prevent Oduah from contesting the party’s forthcoming primary election for the Anambra North Senatorial District.
The petition was signed by Emmanuel Uduaka and Sylvester Nnalue on behalf of the group.
CANS cited a recent judgment delivered by Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, concerning two companies linked to Oduah.
The court, in a judgment delivered on March 26, convicted Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited after Oduah reportedly entered a plea bargain on behalf of the firms in a fraud-related matter.
Following the agreement, the court ordered the winding up of the companies and directed that funds amounting to about N2 billion be forfeited to the Federal Government.
According to the judgment, the sum included N1.2 billion paid as restitution and another N780 million allegedly recovered during investigations.
The APGA stakeholders argued that the plea bargain and forfeiture arrangement raised questions about Oduah’s integrity and suitability to seek elective office again.
They further claimed that the case had become a matter of public concern and could create political and legal complications for the party if she is allowed to contest.
The group also raised allegations concerning inconsistencies in Oduah’s academic records and certificates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2015, 2019 and 2023 elections.
According to the petition, Oduah allegedly made conflicting claims regarding her educational qualifications in documents submitted under oath to INEC.
CANS argued that the documents had become public records and remained subject to scrutiny.
The group said the alleged inconsistencies violated constitutional provisions relating to false declarations made by candidates seeking elective office.
They urged Governor Soludo to ensure that Oduah provides strict documentary proof regarding her primary school education and certificates before she is allowed to participate in the party’s primary election.
CANS claimed that Oduah may not have written or passed any primary school leaving examination contrary to information allegedly contained in her submissions to INEC and other official institutions.
The stakeholders warned that failure to properly verify her credentials could expose APGA to litigation under provisions of the Electoral Act.
The petition also referenced criminal proceedings initiated in October 2025 involving alleged fraud exceeding N2 billion.
According to the group, Oduah initially faced charges alongside another defendant before her companies were later substituted in the case after the plea bargain arrangement.
CANS stated that as part of the agreement, restitution was made to the Federal Government and commitments were allegedly entered under oath.
The group maintained that the circumstances surrounding the case, including the restitution payments and eventual conviction of the companies, cast serious doubts on Oduah’s moral standing and constitutional eligibility to contest future elections.
They further argued that her continued political participation could damage the image of APGA and trigger fresh legal actions challenging her candidacy.
According to the petition, the issues surrounding the alleged fraud case and the academic certificate discrepancies were already widely known in the public domain and could become major campaign issues ahead of the 2027 elections.
The stakeholders insisted that taking preventive action now would protect the party from avoidable controversies and political setbacks.
CANS attached several documents to the petition, including certified true copies of court proceedings, election tribunal records, and INEC forms allegedly completed by Oduah in previous election cycles.
The documents, according to the group, were intended to support their claims and demonstrate why the party should deny Oduah its platform for the forthcoming senatorial contest.
