The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hope Uzodinma, has reacted to the Supreme Court, saying it is a stolen mandate recovered.
The apex court sacked Emeka Ihedioha as governor of Imo and affirmed Uzodinma as winner of the March 9 election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Ihedioha winner of the election but Uzodinma, who came fourth, challenged the outcome of the election in court.
In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, a seven-man panel held that Ihedioha did not win majority of votes cast in the election.
Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the presiding judge, ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Ihedioha and give a fresh one to his APC rival.
Speaking through Declan Emelumba, his special adviser on media, Uzodinma said that the court had demonstrated bravery.
“Yes today, my mandate given to me by the people of Imo state has been restored by the highest court in the land. This meant that the victory given to me by the people, but denied me, has been restored. I give glory and thanks to God Almighty,” Uzodinma was quoted to have said.
