President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded the Supreme Court for the`courage and perseverance’ to declare Sen. Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the March 9, governorship election in Imo.
President Buhari made the commendation while reacting to Tuesday’s Supreme Court judgment that sacked Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Governor of Imo State and declared Uzodinma winner.
According to him, “The road to justice may be long and tortuous, but it is the best path for anyone aggrieved. “Under the new administration, a new journey to build a new Imo with new energy is about to begin. In this outcome, it is the people of Imo State who have emerged victorious.”
Earlier, The Herald reported that Sen. Hope Uzodinma, who was declared the winner of the March 9, 2019 governorship poll in Imo state, said the Supreme Court only restored the victory given to him by the people of the state.
He stated this in a statement through his media aide, Declan Emelumba, on Tuesday in reaction to the apex court ruling.
Uzodinma said: “Yes today, my mandate given to me by the people of Imo state has been restored by the highest court in the land.
“This meant that the victory given to me by the people, but denied me, has been restored. I give glory and thanks to God Almighty.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Emeka Ihedioha winner of the election with 276,404 votes.
But Uzodinma, who placed fourth in the election with 96,458 votes according INEC, challenged the declaration in court.
A seven-member panel led by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Mohammed, in a unanimous decision sacked Ihedioha, the candidate of PDP, and declared Sen. Hope Uzodinma, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who read the lead judgment, ordered that the Certificate of Return issued to Ihedioha be immediately withdrawn. She directed that a fresh Certificate of Return should be issued to the APC candidate.