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A select group of indigenes of Imo State under the aegis of Concerned Stakeholders has called on the Supreme Court of Nigeria to ensure that justice prevails in the lingering governorship dispute in the State.
It could be recalled that Hope Uzodinma was pronounced winner of the election in a controversial judgment delivered by the Supreme Court on January 14, 2020 and since then his candidacy remains hotly contested.
The position of the stakeholders is contained in the communiqué issued at the end of its extraordinary council held at the weekend and obtained by THISDAY.
The apex court will, on Tuesday December 5, pass judgment on the suit instituted by the Action Peoples Party (APP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the March 9 governorship election in the state.
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The issue for determination here is whether Hope Uzodinma who was pronounced winner of the election in a contentious judgment delivered by the Supreme Court on January 14, 2020 was a candidate in that election.
The suit was a logical follow-up to an earlier judgment of the same court delivered on December 20, 2019 wherein it held that the governorship tickets of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Action Alliance (AA) were held by a certain Uche Nwosu.
The court, in its ruling, disqualified the said Uche Nwosu from the election on grounds of double nomination.
Curiously, however, the same Supreme Court on January 14, 2020 delivered another judgment wherein it recognized Hope Uzodinma as the APC candidate in that election and went further to declare him as winner of the election.
If that ruling is upheld, it will mean that the APC had two candidates in that election. The APP and the PDP are therefore asking the Supreme Court to give effect to its earlier declaration that “a political party is not capable of sponsoring two candidates for the same office in the same election.”
After taking a dispassionate look at the issue, the Concerned Stakeholders say they are convinced that justice has not been served. They therefore calling on the Supreme Court to use the opportunity presented by December 5 to return Imo State to the path justice and stability.
According to the communique signed on behalf of the stakeholders by Mazi Nnamdi Ohalete, ‘the injustice of January 14 has left Imo in bad shape. Insecurity has not only become the unfortunate lot of the state, the people have largely lost confidence in both the democratic and judicial processes.
‘That was why they did not show interest in the November 11 governorship election. The people are not to blame because that election was not necessary in the first place. We do not think that it is proper to saddle the people with that election when they have a governorship dispute that has lingered for four years.
‘We note with concern as well that the people’s faith in the judicial process was also shaken when someone who was not a candidate in an election was pronounced winner. The people of Imo State have not been able to reconcile themselves with the absurdity of that judgment since then.
‘But a whole lot of difference will be made by the Supreme Court if it gives the people the reason to believe in our judiciary again. December 5, 2023 could be the pedestal on which the Supreme Court can ride to restore justice and fairness to Imo state. The court can also use the opportunity to demonstrate that it is still on the side of the people.’
The Eastern Updates will continue to monitor the proceedings at the apex court.
