Appeal Court Confirms Uzodinma’s Election as Governor of Imo State

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Samuel Anyanwu, which challenged the Imo State tribunal’s decision affirming Hope Uzodinma as the legitimate governor of the state.

The court ruled that the appeal lacked merit, having resolved all issues formulated against the appellants.

Similarly, the appellate court dismissed the appeals filed by the Labour Party and its candidate, Achonu Nneji, as well as the Allied Peoples Movement, also citing a lack of merit.

The appellants had approached the Court of Appeal dissatisfied with the tribunal’s judgment, arguing that the November 11, 2023, election was invalid due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act. They also contested Uzodinma’s qualification, alleging that his WAEC Certificate of Education result was forged.

However, in delivering its judgment, the Court of Appeal held that the appellants failed to prove the allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act and the forgery of Uzodinma’s certificate.

The three-man panel, led by Justice Bitrus Sanga, concluded that the appellants did not provide sufficient evidence to support their claims.