By Matthew Don
There is still one more hurdle to cross in the Imo State governorship election held in March 2019 where Governor Emeka Ihedioha was declared the winner as his opponents are still poised for further appeal against the Court of Appeal judgement of Tuesday, November 19.
Governorship candidates of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Hope Uzodinma and that of the Action Alliance (AA), Uchebn Nwosu have headed for the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling of the Court of Appeal that affirmed the decision of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal earlier that Ihedioha won the election.
Armadanews.com was told by an Ihedioha aide that they have received notification from Uzodinma and Nwosu on further appeal to the apex court. The aide was not sure if the candidate of the All Prograssive Grand Alliance (APGA), Ifeanyi Araraume, would not join them in the appeal.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, Tuesday, in a unanimous judgement, upheld the decision of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which affirmed the election of Ihedioha and dismissed the appeals filed by Nwosu, Araraume and Uzodinma against the governor with a fine of N500, 000 against each of the appellants.
After the the Court of Appeal ruling, Ihedioha dedicated the victory to God and invited the trio to join hands with him to “Rebuild Imo”.
Speaking to reporters in Owerri Ihedioha said: “I wish to convey my sincere thanks to Almighty God over the disposal of the Imo State Governorship appeal.
“The learned justices once again vindicated the mandate delivered to us by the good people of Imo State. We also tender our gratitude to the people of Imo State, the PDP faithful and our teeming supporters for your prayers, solidarity and faith all through the process of the election petitions tribunal hearings and subsequent appeal.”
Ihedioha said that the judiciary again demonstrated that it was the last bastion of justice and liberty in a democracy.
He said: “Their judgement today has reaffirmed our confidence in our judicial system.”
He reiterated that he bears no ill against those with different political leanings who challenged the mandate freely given to him by the people of Imo State.
He said: “The Rebuild Imo Agenda is on course. I bear none of my adversaries no ill will. I harbour neither bitterness nor rancour. Just as I am, without no other plea, than my earlier invitation that they should come and together, let us Rebuild Imo State”.
Affirming that effort to rebuild the state is a collective responsibility, he noted that he was not unmindful that there would be opposition on his path.
“While I affirm that the effort is a collective one, I am not unmindful that there would be opposition on our path. But with God on our side, we shall rise above every mountain of antagonism, overcome layers of impediments and cross every Rubicon to deliver to our people quality infrastructure, functional welfare amenities and a prosperous economy.
“During the electioneering, I did assure our people that Imo State, under my watch, would stand firmly on the rule of law. Indeed, this judgement today, once again, has strengthened our resolve to be guided by this solemn promise.”
Ihedioha, however, assured that Imo State would be great again.
Together we shall make Imo great again. There is therefore “no victor, nor vanquished.
“A horse is prepared for the day of battle but victory is of the lord” Proverbs 21:31″, he declared.