The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed an application by Emeka Ihedioha of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to be issued a certificate of return as the rightful governor of Imo State.
In a ruling read by Justice Tijjani Abubakar on Tuesday, the apex court held that Ihedioha’s application lacked merit and was unnecessary and vexatious.
The court also awarded N40 million in costs against Ihedioha’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, for bringing the matter before the court.
The ruling effectively upholds the Supreme Court judgement of January 14, 2020, which nullified Ihedioha’s election and declared Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor of Imo State.
Ihedioha had argued that Uzodinma was not qualified to run in the governorship election in the first place, as he did not have the required number of votes to win the primary election of his party.
However, the Supreme Court rejected Ihedioha’s argument, stating that Uzodinma’s candidacy was valid.
