Tuesday, January 14, the Supreme Court declared Hope Uzondinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the duly elected governor of Imo State in a ruling that has turned out to be deeply controversial.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Uzodinma had gathered the fourth-highest votes in the election. But the APC candidate said he in fact had the highest votes—if votes from 388 polling units, which he said were his stronghold, were collated. The Supreme court eventually favoured his prayer and declared him the winner.

Barely 24 hours after the ruling was given, Uzodinma received his Certificate of Return from INEC – but the electoral commission maintained the election was credible “despite some challenges”.

Certain facts about the court’s decision were originally unclear, but TheCable on Thursday published a copy of the judgment delivered by Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.

“In the circumstances, I hold that there is merit in this appeal,” Justice Kekere-Ekun had concluded. “The appeal is allowed. The judgment of the lower court affirming the judgment of the Governorship Election Tribunal is hereby set aside.”

Other justices on the panel were Chief Justice of Nigeria Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, Olukayode Ariwoola, Amiru Sanusi, Amina Adamu Augie, and Uwani Musa Abba Aji.

In this report, The ICIR shares four key points from the 45-page document.

Not all the ‘cancelled votes’ were Uzodinma’s
It has been previously suggested that Uzodinma’s claim is that 213,295 votes that went to him from 388 polling units were not collated and that all other candidates did not get more votes from these polling units.

READ MORE: https://www.icirnigeria.org/imo-election-noteworthy-points-from-supreme-courts-full-judgment/

Nobody sees supreme court decision coming hence the outcry. APC actually had a good case and supreme court did the right thing. Why is difficult for INEC and PDP to tender original results in those polling units if the one presented by APC were fake. My take, election were rigged in favour of APC in those polling units. INEC in collusion with PDP rejected the votes but accepted Mbise magic in favour of PDP. gods are not to blame.