Sen. Hope Uzodinma, who was declared the winner of the March 9, 2019 governorship poll in Imo State, says the Supreme Court only restored the victory given to him by the people of the state.
He stated this in a message 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 to 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Kekere-Ekun, who read the lead judgment, ordered that the Certificate of Return issued to Ihedioha be immediately withdrawn.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.
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