Factional chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, who claimed to enjoy the backing of Nigeria’s First Lady, has been disowned by Aso Rock, the Nigerian seat of power.

News Express had three days ago exclusively reported a meeting of chieftains of the Umeh faction at which he reportedly claimed to have gone with some confidants to the First Lady’s bedroom in Aso Rpck for a meeting during which she purportedly promised to get the judiciary to rule in favour of his faction.

Neither Umeh nor any of those named as having attended the meeting has denied the report.

However, distancing herself from the APGA crisis, the First Lady, Dame (Dr.) Patience Goodluck Jonathan, said in a statement issued by her Media Assistant, Ayo Osinlu: “We wish to state categorically that nothing is farther from the truth, as the First Lady did not, at any time, meet with Chief Umeh on any account, least of all the crisis in APGA.

“Indeed, the First Lady is not in any way interested in APGA or its internal crisis, neither is she associated with any of the stakeholders in the crisis rocking the party. She therefore takes strong exception to her being dragged into the mud-slinging between the war-lords of APGA.

“The First Lady remains a strong advocate of the rule of law, as that is the only guarantee that everyone, whether weak or strong, can legitimately expect to benefit from justice and equity.

“She will therefore not be found in any activity, or in the company of anyone seeking to pervert the course of justice.”

•Photo shows Dame Jonathan.