By Clement Nnanna
There is a certain irony in the Justice Peter Lifu saga that only a few observers have fully appreciated. In seeking to deregister some political parties, the ruling inadvertently achieved the opposite of its apparent intent: it thrust several previously overlooked parties into the national spotlight.
Among them, the Action Peoples Party (APP) emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the controversy. While celebrations erupted in some quarters following the ruling, public attention quickly shifted to the APP. Apart from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), whose officials immediately mounted a vigorous opposition to the judgment, no other political party generated as much discussion and public curiosity as the APP.
Indeed, it was the inclusion of the APP in the ruling that first raised questions about the legal validity of the decision. Observers swiftly pointed to an earlier judgment delivered on June 2, 2026, by Justice I.N. Oweobo of the Federal High Court, Owerri Division, which reaffirmed the existence of the APP and dismissed a suit seeking its deregistration.Even more significantly, the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, had on March 20, 2026, affirmed the legal status and continued existence of the party.
As Nigerians scrutinised Justice Lifu’s decision and its apparent disregard for an existing Court of Appeal order on a pending matter involving the APP, attention increasingly focused on the troubling issue of conflicting judgments emanating from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
Consequently, although the suit filed by a group of former federal legislators seeking the deregistration of five political parties remains pending before the Court of Appeal, the legal battles surrounding the APP had already succeeded in bringing the party into national consciousness. The big question is: Why Is APP Attracting So Much Attention?
One of the most remarkable aspects of this entire episode is the resilience demonstrated by the party’s leadership in Imo State. Despite what many perceive as sustained efforts by powerful interests to weaken the party or remove it from the political equation altogether, APP leaders have refused to succumb to despair.
The question is no longer, “Who is afraid of APP in Imo?” The more pertinent question today is, “Why are they afraid of APP in Imo?” The answer is straightforward.
The APP increasingly represents a new political consciousness in Imo State. It has become a platform for a generation of highly educated, accomplished, and forward-looking men and women who believe the state deserves a different style of leadership. At the centre of this movement stands Dr. Matthew Chima Amadi, whose growing influence has transformed perceptions of both himself and the party.
Not too long ago, many of Amadi’s admirers and even some of his associates openly questioned his decision to align with what they considered an obscure political party. Given his considerable professional achievements, social standing, and economic pedigree, many believed he belonged in one of the established political platforms. Today, that skepticism has given way to admiration. As the APP continues to gain visibility and acceptance across the country, many now view Amadi’s decision not as a political gamble but as a demonstration of conviction and strategic foresight.
In Imo State particularly, the APP has grown rapidly into a formidable political platform attracting citizens genuinely interested in public service. Perhaps more importantly, it has distinguished itself from many of its rivals through a level of internal stability that has become increasingly rare in Nigerian politics. Today, APP remains largely free from the post-primary crises, litigations, accusations, and factional battles that have plagued many of the larger political parties.
Across the political spectrum, stories of internal discontent continue to emerge. Several aspirants in different parties have publicly alleged unfair treatment, financial exploitation, and manipulation during primary elections. Court cases, accusations, and bitter disputes have become recurring features of the political landscape.
The same cannot be said of the ruling party in the state. In Imo East Senatorial District, questions continue to be raised about the rationale behind the selection of its senatorial candidate from Owerri North Local Government Area when the incumbent senator, currently serving a second term, is also from the same local government. Critics argue that such decisions reinforce long-standing concerns about inequity and imbalance in political representation across the zone.
Interestingly, it is within this same Imo East Senatorial District that Dr. Chima Amadi flies the APP flag. Amadi hails from Ngor Okpala, a local government area whose people have, for years, expressed concerns about political marginalisation and unequal access to leadership opportunities.
Recent reports indicate growing dissatisfaction among stakeholders across the zone regarding existing political arrangements. Some influential voices have openly suggested the need to consider alternative candidates and platforms capable of delivering greater fairness and inclusiveness. In that conversation, the APP and its candidate increasingly feature as viable alternatives.
But beyond Owerri Zone, the APP’s growing profile is also felt across the other zones. Elsewhere in Imo State, the party is represented by one of Nigeria’s most outspoken legislators, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, a serving member of the House of Representatives. Significantly, Ugochinyere and Franklin Ngoforo, one of the individuals associated with efforts to challenge the party’s existence in court, both hail from Ideato Federal Constituency. Yet despite those legal challenges, the APP survived every major judicial test brought against it.
More recently, Ugochinyere’s emergence as a contender for the position of Minority Leader in the House of Representatives further elevated the party’s visibility on the national stage. Although he did not secure the position, the development nevertheless underscored the growing relevance of both the legislator and the party he represents.
The events of recent months suggest that the APP has moved beyond the stage where it can be dismissed as a fringe political organisation. Whether by legal battles, political controversies, or the growing prominence of its leading figures, the party has succeeded in capturing national attention.
What began as skepticism has steadily evolved into curiosity, engagement, and, in many quarters, genuine support. For the APP, particularly in Imo State, the story is still unfolding.
The national spotlight is brighter than ever, and the party’s most consequential chapters may yet lie ahead.
Nnanna writes from Okwuato, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area.
