By Our Reporter
The Labour Party (LP) has made a strong appeal to the Supreme Court, asking it to remove Senator Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from his position as Governor of Imo State.
This request was made by the Chairman of the Imo State Labour Party, Hon. Barr. Calistus Ihejiagwa, KSJI, during a press conference on Monday, August 19, 2024, at the Party’s State Secretariat on Wethedral Road, Owerri, Imo State.
In the press briefing, which was attended by several media outlets, including The Pressman Newspaper, Barr. Calistus emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “Gentlemen of the press, Party faithful, and Imolites, thank you for attending this crucial and significant press conference.”
The LP Chairman expressed serious concerns about the gubernatorial elections held on November 11, 2023, describing them as deeply flawed due to widespread electoral malpractice and significant violations of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
He said, “As you know, the Supreme Court will soon begin hearing our appeal against the lower courts’ rulings on the 2023 Imo gubernatorial elections. These elections were marred by numerous irregularities and failed to meet basic international standards for electoral transparency and compliance with our domestic electoral laws.”
Barr. Calistus outlined the issues that affected the election, including over-voting, acts of violence and intimidation, ballot box snatching, and blatant disregard for the Electoral Act of 2020.
He emphasized the Labour Party’s commitment to protecting the will of the majority in Imo State, stating, “Our decision to take this matter to court is driven by our determination to safeguard the choice of the majority of Imolites from being undermined or disregarded.”
The LP Chairman also stressed the judiciary’s role in delivering fair justice and maintaining the credibility of the electoral process. He noted, “We firmly believe that the judiciary has a responsibility to ensure justice is served without fear, favor, or bias. It is also crucial for the judiciary to maintain the integrity and trust in our electoral and judicial systems.”
Barr. Ihejiagwa warned of the possible negative consequences if justice is not served, suggesting that a failure to deliver justice could lead to unrest and people resorting to self-help.
Despite these concerns, he expressed hope in the judiciary’s ability to do what is right and restore confidence in the electoral process. He said, “While our trust in the judiciary may have been shaken, we still hold onto the belief that the integrity of our courts, especially the Supreme Court, remains strong and unwavering.”
In his concluding remarks, Barr. Calistus called on the Supreme Court to ensure justice is done in the Labour Party’s appeal and to respect the will of the people.
“Our courts have a duty to prove wrong those who doubt their independence. They also have the sacred responsibility to provide relief to those who have been wronged and, like the scales of justice, weigh matters without prejudice,” he concluded.
This press conference follows the Supreme Court’s official acknowledgment of the Labour Party’s appeal regarding the 2023 Imo gubernatorial elections, which were contested across all 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State.
The Labour Party’s call for justice has resonated with many Nigerians and residents of Imo State, who are eagerly awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision on this matter.
