NAC: We applaud Supreme Court on 2019 Imo guber

The Supreme Court’s decision to reexamine its December 20, 2019, ruling regarding the 2019 Imo State governorship election has been praised by the public policy think tank Neo Africana Center, or NAC.

Unresolved concerns surrounding that election have caused political unrest and instability in Imo State, which has resulted in the unwarranted removal of Emeka Ihedioha from office as governor.

In particular, the Supreme Court upheld in its ruling on December 20 that a certain Uche Nwosu had been guilty of double nomination since he had emerged as the Action Alliance’s (AA) and the Progressives Congress’ (APC) nominee for governor.
The Supreme Court declared him to be disqualified from the election as a result of that double nomination. Following such declaration, it was only natural for the political parties whose tickets he owned to abstain from that election.
The Center added in a statement released by Jenkins Udu, its Director of Public Affairs, that it was hard to comprehend how the APC, or any political party that has been disqualified from an election due to multiple nominations, would be given another candidate for the same contest.

This was the peculiar aspect of the ruling on January 14, 2020, where Hope Uzodinma was falsely identified as the APC nominee in the same election. The think tank claimed that had the Supreme Court upheld its prior decision from December 20, it would not have allowed the absurdity of January 14 to occur. Because justice has been delayed in this case, it has applauded the court for taking another look at the subject in the hopes that it won’t be completely denied.

Read Also: FG to set up Presidential Steering Committee on Safe Schools

One excerpt from the statement says, “We at the Neo Africana Center have watched the political happenings in Imo State with keen interest since the stormy turn of events that followed the state’s March 9, 2019, governorship election outcome. As a group that prioritizes democracy and good governance, we don’t back down from challenges that threaten to undermine our main goals.As of January 14, 2020, when Emeka Ihedioha was wrongfully removed from office as governor of Imo State, the political climate in Imo has actually been quite difficult. The verdict in question constituted an unlawful leap, which is why we are concerned. If the Supreme Court had followed through on its ruling, which from December 2019 barred a certain Uche Nwosu from the governorship race due to multiple nomination, it would not have been required. Consequently, it is encouraging that the court has chosen to reexamine the matter, fully aware that its ruling from December 20 has been in jeopardy.We value the Supreme Court’s understanding of the necessity of following decisions logically and making sure that important rulings are not disregarded.

“Resolving the outstanding concerns surrounding the 2019 exercise is still crucial, even though a new election in Imo State will take place as soon as possible. If the controversial problems are not resolved, 2019 will haunt Imo State’s upcoming election.

“We think that the November 11, 2023 election is less significant than the judgment scheduled for December 5, 2023. The main purpose of this will be to make sure that, even though justice in this case has been postponed, it won’t be completely rejected.

Our recommendation is that the Supreme Court continue with this case as it is now. After the governorship election on March 9, 2019, the Augean Stable will be neatly cleaned out to bring justice to the people of Imo State.