The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, January 15, 2019 issued the Certificate of Return to the governor-elect of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development came barely 24 hours after the Supreme Court nullified the election of Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the governor of the state.
Ihedioha had been declared winner of the governorship election by INEC, but Uzodinma challenged his victory at the tribunal.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Supreme Court Sacks Ihedioha, Declares Hope Uzodinma Imo State Governor
The APC candidate’s petitions had been dismissed both at the tribunal and the court of appeal, but he subsequently recorded victory at the supreme court.
Uzodinma was said to have received the CoR without much ceremony at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja.
The Chief Press Secretary of INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, confirmed that Uzodinma has received the document.
He said, “I have just confirmed that the Certificate of Return has been presented to the Governor-Elect of Imo State (Hope Uzodinma) by (INEC) National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu in the presence of National Commissioners, Abubakar Nahuche and Dr. Mustafa Lecky.”
Yetunde Adegoke
