The Supreme Court of Nigeria has set a date for the hearing of an enforcement suit regarding the disqualification of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 Imo gubernatorial election. The hearing is scheduled for October 31, and it could have significant implications for Hope Uzodimma’s candidacy as the APC’s candidate in the upcoming November gubernatorial elections.
This enforcement suit, which was originally filed in July 2020, has faced a significant three-year delay, raising concerns about the court’s hearing process. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Action Peoples Party (APP) are urging the court to enforce its 2020 judgment, which disqualified Uche Nwosu, the then APC candidate, due to his dual nomination by the APC and Action Alliance (AA).
The disqualification of Uche Nwosu was based on the fact that he held two nomination forms from two political parties after switching to the Action Alliance (AA). The PDP argues that the APC cannot present two candidates, Mr. Nwosu and the incumbent governor Uzodimma, who seeks re-election in the November 11 polls.
The PDP asserts that neither the Action Alliance (AA) nor the All Progressives Congress (APC) had a valid governorship candidate due to Mr. Nwosu’s double nomination. As a result, they are asking the court to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw Uzodimma’s certificate of return and issue a new one to their candidate, Emeka Ihedioha, who received the second-highest votes in the 2019 polls. If this motion is granted, it could pose a significant challenge to Uzodimma’s candidacy as the APC’s flag bearer in the November gubernatorial polls.
Interestingly, Emeka Ihedioha has decided to withdraw from the November 11 election in Imo state, which may be related to the ongoing case. As we await the court’s decision, the outcome of this enforcement suit is sure to have far-reaching consequences for the political landscape in Imo state.
