The Peoples Democratic Party has condmened the judgment of the Supreme Court which nullified the election of Emeka Ihedioha as the governor of Imo State, describing it as another sad commentary of Nigeria’s democratic order.
The apex court had earlier declared Sen. Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressive Congress who came 4th at the poll, as the winner of the March 9 governorship election in the state.
The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a fresh certificate of return to Uzodinma and be sworn in as governor immediately.
The PDP in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Tuesday, said the judgment did not reflect the expectation of the people of the state as expressed at the polls.
“The Party finds it difficult to understand how Senator Hope Uzodinma/APC, who came 4th in the March 9, 2019 governorship election, with just 96,458 votes, will suddenly, by the token of the judgment of the Supreme Court, defeat Gov Emeka Ihedioha/PDP that scored 276,404 votes.
“In fact, the PDP and indeed, most Nigerians are still at a loss as to understand the basis upon which the Supreme Court arrived at its decision.
“The party says it is lamentable that the destiny of the people of Imo state is being taken from the governor they chose and voted for and handed over to individuals and a political party that do not have their blessing and mandate and which they rejected at the election.
“The people of Imo state are now confronted with the challenge of having a government that they cannot identify with and which cannot connect with them, having not emanated from them.
“Moreover, all the gains, including the development and stability already achieved by the people-based government, under Governor Emeka Ihedioha/PDP administration in the state are now heavily jeopardized.
“Indeed, the mournful and despondent ambience that now pervades in Imo state is a loud testimony that the judgment did not reflect the expectation of the people of Imo state as expressed at the polls.
“While recognising that the judgment of the Supreme Court is final, the PDP however urges all party stakeholders in the state to remain united and calm, and await further instruction from the national leadership on this very sad development,” the statement read.
