The Imo State leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed confidence that the appeal court will deliver justice in their ongoing legal battle concerning the November 2023 governorship election. State chairman Chidi Dike made this assertion on Sunday while addressing the press in Owerri.
Dike’s remarks came in response to the recent judgment by the Imo governorship tribunal, which upheld Governor Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected governor of the state. The tribunal’s decision was handed down last Friday, much to the dismay of the PDP.
According to the PDP, the tribunal’s judgment did not adequately consider the evidence and facts they presented. Dike emphasized that the party believes their arguments and evidence were substantial enough to warrant a different outcome and thus, they are seeking redress at the appeal court.
The PDP’s decision to escalate the case to the appeal court underscores their commitment to challenging the tribunal’s ruling and pursuing what they perceive as electoral justice. Dike reassured party members and supporters that they remain steadfast in their efforts to ensure that the alleged irregularities in the election process are addressed.
“From every indication, the ruling of the tribunal did not reflect the true facts presented before the tribunal by our legal luminaries. The fact of the matter is that the party and its candidate in the November 11 governorship election, Distinguish Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu won the election which facts were presented to the tribunal. While rejecting the ruling, this does not vitiate our confidence in the judiciary and its ability to correct the lopsided view of the Judges that sat in Abuja.”
“We state in unmistakable terms that the population of Imo electorates rejected the candidate of the APC and placed their confidence in the PDP following the abysmal performance of the APC in Imo State. The Peace-loving people of Imo State had before the poll expressed their tiredness and loss of confidence in the Governance of APC and yearned for a change which they trooped out en masse in November to further elucidate, but their efforts were thwarted by INEC and their officials.”
“However, we restate our confidence that these anomalies of the tribunal will be corrected. PDP is a constitutional party and we have unflinching confidence in the constitution of Nigeria and its interpreters in the higher echelon of the Judiciary.”
“Let me at this juncture appreciate our party members across the state. What you have demonstrated in the 24 hours following the tribunal judgement is indeed a great show of solidarity and absolute loyalty. Your calls and text messages are hereby acknowledged and I pledge in my honour that I and the Caretaker Committee Members will not take it for granted.”
“We will not fail you. While assuring you that your mandate and that of the Imo people will be recovered. I want to say again that we are not going to rest on our oars. We urge you to remain resolute as the Court of Appeal will definitely serve us Justice,” he said.