More reactions have continued to trail the Federal High Court, Abuja, judgment that recently invalidated the candidature of Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Imo West senatorial district. Former Secretary to the Government of Imo State (SGI), Chief Chris Okewulonu described the development as “a storm in a tea cup and a temporary setback,” which Imo people should not worry about. He stated that the facts of the case are such that even “a 100 level law student in the university can easily decipher that the Federal High Court Judgment can not withstand the appellate courts’ scrutiny.”
In a statement he issued in reaction to the judgment, Okewulonu pointed out that former Governor Okorocha’s so-called candidature is a non-issue and not something Imo people, particularly the people of Orlu Senatorial District should lose sleep about. He expressed disbelief that such a case, “without any scintilla of merit was allowed to see the light of the day.”
The former SGI stressed that “it is unfortunate that a kangaroo suit was accommodated by the Federal High Court,which even went further, to the chargrin of Imo people, and Nigerians, to attempt clothing it with legitimacy.” He posited that “as far as the good people of Orlu in particular, and Imo State in general, are concerned, Governor Hope Uzodimma remains the APC candidate for Orlu Senatorial Zone. His candidature remains unshakeable like the rock of Gibraltar,” Okewulonu emphasised.
He said that Nigeria’s political history is replete with certain judicial errors as in the instant case, which ultimately got drowned at the appellate courts. He noted that the Federal High Court judgment, which declared former Governor Rochas Okorocha the APC candidate for Orlu Senatorial Seat, is “a miscarriage of justice, and shall ultimately be reversed by the superior courts.”
In his words: “How can a man(Okorocha),who was abroad when the senatorial primaries took place be said to have won? He never participated in the said primaries.The whole shenanigan embarrasses logic and our sensibilities. That is why Nigerians are embarrassed by the Federal High Court judgment, which, of course, as I said earlier, will not stand.”
He regretted that in spite of efforts by well-meaning Nigerians and patriots to ensure that our democracy does not derail, some people still indulge in the carry-go brand of politics. “Such type of political mentality is inimical to our democratic growth and development and should be discouraged,” Okewulonu stressed.
Okewulonu,nevertheless,urged Imo people to remain steadfast in their support for Governor Hope Uzodimma.He made it clear that only the best can represent Imo people’s interest in Abuja, stating that “Uzodimma’s record of service and leadership indisputably defines him as a primus inter pares.”
