Uzodinma may be retired in politics with outcome of electoral petition—Analysts
Following Friday’s submission of his petition against the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and presentation of Certificate of Return to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Emeka Ihedioha as governor-elect by Imo State All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Hope Uzodinma, Imo State based political pundits say the outcome of the court process may end the political carrier of the petitioner.
The Senator, who many had expected to wisely recontest for the Red Chambers, went for the post of Imo State governorship at a time, it was very clear that Orlu, his zone had taken more shots than other zones in the state.
Besides, another factor that may bundle him out of active politics as far as he remained in APC is the level of anger Imo citizens has for the party due to their eight years experience in the hands of the outgoing governor, Rochas Okorocha.
Pundits say the Senator who drove the review of Customs reforms at the Red Chambers would have gone for another shot at the Senate so as to deepen his service to the nation at the national level than diving into the murky Imo State politics on the platform of a party that has failed the state as far as governorship is concerned.
However, in his petition to the Election Tribunal, sitting in Owerri, over the outcome of the March 9 governorship poll in the state, is claiming that he remains the real winner of the votes.
Uzodinma in the petition marked EPT/ Gov/Im/08/2019 is challenging Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s declaration and presentation of Certificate of Return to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Emeka Ihedioha as governor-elect.
The petition has Uzodinma and APC as first and second petitioners, while Ihedioha, PDP and INEC are first, second and third respondents. Speaking to The Guardian in Owerri at the weekend, APC Caretaker Committee Publicity Secretary, Enyinnia Onuegbu, expressed optimism that the party would get justice at the tribunal.
According to him, the party got majority of votes cast during the poll and deserved to win, but was denied victory due to manipulation of the electoral process. He said the poll was characterised by irregularities, wrongful cancellation of the party’s votes and one that does not represent the interest of the people.
