Discussing the tribunal’s ruling on the Imo State governorship election, Labour Party Chairman in Imo State, Calistus Ihejiagwa, shares his thoughts with DANIEL AYANTOYE.
The tribunal confirmed Hope Uzodimma’s victory in the November 11 governorship election. What is your response to this decision?
Our candidate and party jointly released a statement expressing our discontent with the verdict. We intend to appeal the decision as we believe justice was not upheld. We are confident that the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court will overturn the judgment due to lack of legal basis and evidence.
The tribunal stated that your party failed to provide sufficient evidence of over-voting and Electoral Act violations. Did you feel your case lacked strong proof?
We presented compelling evidence at the tribunal, including testimonies that went uncontested. It was surprising when the tribunal claimed our evidence was insufficient. We pushed our case to the best of our ability.
Do you believe the tribunal intentionally disregarded the evidence you presented?
The tribunal did not explicitly reject our evidence in its ruling. We are unsatisfied with the judgment and will pursue an appeal for a reassessment at the Court of Appeal. We are optimistic about a reversal.
Why do you think the tribunal ruled in this manner?
Speculating on the tribunal’s decision is not our focus. We are focused on appealing the judgment and presenting our case to the higher court for reconsideration. We believe we presented a strong case during the tribunal proceedings.
Your candidate accused INEC of involvement in electoral irregularities and vowed to expose them. What is your stance on this?
INEC is accountable for the actions of its staff, both permanent and ad hoc. During the election, there were clear violations of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines by its personnel. We maintain our position on INEC’s infractions.
Is the LP a popular and viable option for governorship in Imo State?
The Labour Party is the choice of the people in Imo State. Despite challenges, the party has strong support and a significant following. The people’s preference for the Labour Party is evident in electoral results and the party’s position as a prominent political force in the South-East.
Assessing Governor Uzodimma’s tenure, how would you rate his performance?
Imo State’s current governance is not resonating with the populace. The lack of tangible impact in areas like security, employment, infrastructure, economy, education, and tourism reflects poorly on the governor’s leadership. Despite being in opposition, our assessment of the governor’s performance is based on factual observations rather than mere criticism.