APGA Files Supreme Court Case to Remove Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has taken legal action by filing a case before the Supreme Court, seeking the removal of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.

Scheduled Hearing Date

The Supreme Court has set the hearing for APGA’s application on October 31, 2023. This hearing comes three years after the party filed the application in July 2020.

The Basis of APGA’s Case

APGA argues that there should have been a fresh election in Imo State after the Supreme Court nullified the election of Emeka Ihedioha, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Previous Supreme Court Rulings

In December 2020, the Supreme Court upheld a judgment by the Court of Appeal, which nullified Uche Nwosu’s candidacy as the governorship flagbearer of the Action Alliance.

The court found Nwosu guilty of double nomination, as he had received the tickets of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and AA. Consequently, Nwosu withdrew his appeal against Ihedioha’s victory.

However, on January 14, the Supreme Court voided Ihedioha’s election and declared Hope Uzodinma, who came fourth in the election, as the duly elected governor of the state.

APGA’s Argument

APGA contends that Uzodinma’s candidacy should have been nullified, as the APC had given tickets to both Uzodinma and Nwosu.

The party argues that the Supreme Court did not rule on the validity of Uzodinma’s candidacy, as it was not challenged by Ihedioha and the PDP in the appeal marked SC/1462/2019.

Legal Position

According to the counsel for the applicant, Stephen Nwoga, the absence of a duly and validly nominated/sponsored candidate by a political party, as a constitutional precedent, makes it necessary for INEC to conduct a fresh election in Imo State.

APGA’s Request

APGA is requesting that the Supreme Court order a fresh election, excluding the APC and Action Alliance (AA). APGA’s candidate secured a total of 114,676 votes, placing third in the 2019 governorship election.

Re-Election Campaign by Uzodinma

Meanwhile, Hope Uzodinma is seeking re-election as governor in the forthcoming poll scheduled for November 11.

The legal battle initiated by APGA underscores the complex and contentious nature of election results and political dynamics in Imo State.