The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed appeals by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Samuel Anyawu, challenging the Imo State tribunal’s decision that affirmed Hope Uzodinma as the state’s governor.
The court ruled that the appeal lacked merit, resolving all issues against the appellants.
Similarly, appeals by the Labour Party and its candidate, Achonu Nneji, as well as the Allied Peoples Movement, were also dismissed for lack of merit.
The appellants had claimed the November 11, 2023 election was invalid due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act and alleged that Uzodinma’s WAEC certificate was forged.
However, the three-man panel led by Justice Bitrus Sanga stated that the appellants failed to prove these allegations.
“The appellants failed to prove the allegation of non-compliance as alleged,” the court noted.
The panel further found no evidence that the governor submitted a forged certificate.