The Independent National Electoral Commission has issued Certificate of Return to Senator Hope Uzodinma as the winner of March 19, 2019 governorship election in Imo, in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the ceremony at INEC headquarters in Abuja, Uzodinma dedicated his victory to God and the “functional judiciary of the country.”
He described the litigation process he went through as part of the democratic process, saying, “There must be a challenge here and there, but you must develop a thick skin and strength to follow through litigation.
“That is what we did and the first court did not do what we wanted. The second court followed through, but the Supreme Court uses its eagle eye and gave us victory.
“We thank God that at the end of the day through His Mercy, His will and the mandate of our people of Imo, who came out to vote for APC and myself; that at the end of the day their wishes and mandate have been recognised.
“We owe this victory to God Almighty. We owe it to the functional judiciary. That our judiciary is working and the Supreme Court worked to expectation.
“The people of Imo have not been denied their choice of leadership and the efforts they made during the election. It is something we must be grateful for,” Uzodinma said.
Standing in solidarity with him during the press briefing was other Imo political heavyweight, including Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, the 2019 candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, the 2019 disqualified candidate of Action Alliance (AA).
The Supreme Court in a unanimous judgment on Tuesday sacked Emeka Ihedioha and declared Uzodinma winner, directing INEC to issue him Certificate of Return.
A seven-man panel of the apex court in its decision held that Ihedioha did not win a majority of votes cast at the March 9, 2019 governorship election.
