No doubt, the chips are down in Imo State since the landmark election tribunal ruling that sent out a triple barrel pronouncements that sealed hopes in the respective camps of three governorship pretenders’ in Imo State on Saturday.
Whereas analysts say the runling may have marked the political retirements of the trio especially Senator Ifeanyi Ararume and Okorocha’s son-in-law, Mr Uche Nwosu, observers had some reservations for Senator Hope Uzodinma considering his chances of being admitted in the swelling ‘Politically Displaced Camps’ (PDC) of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) by way of a political appointment that may revive his relevance ahead of 2023 political permutations after all.
However, clear signal for Nwosu’s retirement in politics came almost same day he was totally demobilised by the tribunal ruling that upheld the election of Governor Emeka Ihedioha as his father in politics, the immediate former governor and Senator representing Orlu Zone, Chief Rochas Okorocha issued a statement through his media aide, saying “The court has given the expected judgment. As a seasoned politician and one with the knowledge of law, I counselled Uche Nwosu not to waste his time and resources pursuing a case that will certainly meet brick walls.”
Continuing, Okorocha added that “Those who advised Uche Nwosu to challenge the victory of Gov Ihedioha against my wish have furthered ridiculed the young man. What an elder see siting, a child can’t, standing. If even my son in-law appeals the judgement, he does not stand a chance.”
He further shocked in in-law by agreeing that “This judgment has strengthened the nation’s democracy and restored hope on the judiciary. It is victory for Imo State.”
It is on record that Okorocha in the statement congratulated the governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha on his recent visit at the Election Petition Tribunal against his son in-law, Uche Nwosu.
Business Hilights Abuja Bureau chief reports that the Imo State Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja Saturday dismissed the petition of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and its governorship candidate Senator Ifeanyi Araraume for lacking in merit.
The same tribunal in its September 21, 2019 judgment also dismissed the petition of the candidate of the Action Alliance Party, Mr. Uche Nwosu, for incompetence.
The Judges unanimously struck out the petition of the All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma for been based on hearsay evidence. Tribunal finds that the petitioners did not prove the unlawful exclusion of results as they are contending.
Three petitions were filed by the governorship candidates of the Action Alliance (AA), All Progressives Congress (APC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), asking the tribunal to nullify the election of Mr Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on the ground that he was unlawfully declared as the governor of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, the three petitions have now been dismissed as lacking in merit and election of the PDP candidate, Emeka Ihedioha upheld by the 2019 Imo Governorship election petition tribunal.
