The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Samuel Anyawu, which challenged the Imo State tribunal’s decision affirming Hope Uzodinma as the legitimate governor of the state.
The court ruled that the appeal lacked merit, resolving all issues against the appellants.
Similarly, the appellate court dismissed the appeals by the Labour Party and its candidate, Achonu Nneji, and the Allied Peoples Movement, also for lacking merit.
The appellants had contested the tribunal’s judgment on grounds that the November 11, 2023 election was invalid due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act and challenged Uzodinma’s qualification, alleging his WAEC Certificate of Education result was forged.
In its judgment, the Court of Appeal held that the appellants failed to prove the allegations of non-compliance and the claim that the governor submitted a forged certificate.
The three-man panel, led by Justice Bitrus Sanga, concluded that the appellants did not substantiate their claims against the governor.