Disappointment and anger trailed the decision of the Supreme Court in not setting aside its judgment of January 14, 2020; removing Emeka Ihedioha as Governor and replacing him with Hope Uzodinma. Expectedly, a gloomy mood was activated across every corner of Imo state, including the Government House staff as citizens mourn instead of jubilating. The state is filled with anger and disappointment as their expectation was dashed.
Huhuonline.com witnessed most of the joints and eatery houses were virtually empty as no form of jubilation and happiness was going on in the state. At the Rockview Hotel, opposite Government House, Owerri where journalists in the state usually gather to brainstorm on issues of national interest, fight broke out between supporters of Ihedioha and Uzodinma over the apex court’s verdict.
The Supreme Court in a six to one judgment refused to set aside its judgment; and in the split judgment held that it lacked powers to sit on appeal in its own judgment. The court held that the application by Ihedioha asking the court to set aside its judgment of January 14 on grounds of nullity was an invitation on the apex court to sit on appeal over its own judgment, which the court cannot do.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Kayode Ariwoola, the court held that granting the request of the applicants would open the flood gate by parties to all kinds of litigations. The court however held that parties in this case should bear their cost. Those who dismissed the application include the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, Justices Sylvester Ngwuta, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Amina Augie and Mary Abba-Aji.
Justice Centus Nweze however in his dissenting judgment set aside the judgment of the Supreme Court as a nullity. He held that the court was misled in declaring Hope Uzodinma as governor and subsequently ordered his removal from office. According to him, Uzodinma failed to give evidence of how he won the election. He held that the votes which were used to declare Uzodinma winner was in excess of the accredited votes for the election.
Ihedioha, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), submitted his request at the Supreme Court headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, February 5 2020. The Supreme Court on Tuesday, January 14 nullified Ihedioha’s election as governor and declared Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 9 governorship election in the state. In the final result for the governorship poll, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said Uzodinma was fourth in the election, behind Uche Nwosu of the Action Alliance (AA) and Ifeanyi Ararume of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
The seven-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Tanko Muhammad said the evidence tendered by Uzodinma and APC to him was lawful. The court said votes due to Uzodinma and APC from 388 polling units were not credited in the final result. It declared Uzodinma winner of the election after the uncredited votes were added to the election result.
The PDP in different parts of the country protested against the apex court’s judgement. The PDP said the judgement was not a true reflection of justice. The protest in Abuja led by its national chairman Uche Secondus had the party’s 2019 vice-presidential candidate Anambra State Peter Obi, former lawmaker Dino Melaye and other members from different states of Nigeria in attendance at the Supreme Court headquarters. Another set of protesters marched on the streets of Owerri, Imo State capital, asking the Supreme Court to review its verdict on the sacked governor.
