• Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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Breaking: Supporters protest Ihedioha’s removal in Imo, demand Tanko’ sack

Emeka Ihedioha-2

Supporters of Emeka Ihedioha on Sunday took to the streets of Owerri, Imo State capital to protesters to kick against the verdict of the Supreme Court that led to the removal of Emeka Ihedioha as governor of the state.

The protesters also demanded the sack of the current Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.

Supreme Court on January 14 sacked Ihedioha, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and affirmed Hope Uzodinma, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as governor of Imo.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Ihedioha winner of the governorship election in March 2019, but Uzodinma challenged his victory.

Uzodinma came fourth in the results announced by INEC. But the apex court pronounced him winner based on the APC candidate’s claim that his votes across 388 polling units were annulled.

While the judgement returned Uzodinma as governor, it has become hard for the opposition to swallow. The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) threatened to carry out a protest in Abuja on Monday.

In a statement, Austin Akobundu, PDP national organising secretary, said the take-off point for the demonstration is Legacy House, the party’s campaign headquarters in Maitama.

“In line with the approval of the National Executive Committee of our Great Party, the National Chairman as directed that a peaceful, civil and non-violent protest be organised in the Federal Capital Territory to register the displeasure of the Party against the current state of affairs in the country, especially the miscarriages of justice of the Supreme Court against the lawfully elected Governor of Imo,” he said.

“This is a clarion call to all lovers of Democracy as we join hands to save our dear Nation.”

The PDP on Friday, January 17 asked Tanko to resign.