By Desmond Okereke
Anxiety has gripped members of the All Progressive Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Imo State.
The basis for the anxiety is the expected review of the judgement by the Supreme Court which sacked Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP as Governor and installed Hope Uzodinma of the APC as duly elected Governor of the State.
The judgement did not go down well with the PDP and Ihedioha who alleged flaws in the verdict.
The PDP had also embarked on protests across the country to register it’s displeasure with the judgement.
The renewed anxiety intensified as reports filtered in that Senator Hope Uzodinma and the All Progressive Congress, APC have been served application notifying them of the review of the judgement by the Supreme Court instituted by Ihedioha.
The PDP last week commenced a week of fasting and prayers to seek God’s intervention in the matter.
Party Chieftains had gathered at the State party Secretariat, Okigwe road, Owerri, Sunday where they were addressed by leaders of the party and advised to remain steadfast on the matter and prepare for forthcoming Congress.
This newspaper gathered that party members expressed utter rejection of the judgement and prayed that the Supreme Court will not only review the judgement but reinstate Ihedioha as Governor.
A party Chieftain who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity said “We are worried.Seriously we are concerned. If the review does not go in our favour, that means we have to go through the pains of being in the opposition for some years again
“We pray the Supreme Court Judges to correct their mistakes. We appeal to them. We urge them to see reasons in our appeal.
The anxiety fever has also gripped members of the All Progressive Congress APC in the State.
Many Stakeholders in the party fear that the review of the judgement could spell doom for the party considering the loopholes spotted in the judgement that removed Ihedioha and enthroned Uzodinma as Governor.
Mr.Magnus Okebata, a chieftain of the APC in the State said the “review is a recipe for uncertainty”, though he expressed hope that it will be difficult for the apex court to reverse itself.
“This is not the first time a serving Governor has been removed by the Supreme Court. It happened in Rivers State when Celestine Omehia was sacked and Rotimi Amaechi took his place.
“It also took place in Anambra State when Chris Ngige was removed and Peter Obi installed. The heavens never collapsed. We wonder why this is different