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• AA withdraws case against gov, Speaker promises smooth relationship
Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, Imo State, yesterday upheld judgment of a Federal High Court, dismissing the suit filed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu against the emergence of Emeka Ihedioha, as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate.
The court, presided over by Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo, held that there was no conviction that Ihedioha’s emergence was marred by thugs and over-voting during the primaries.
Consequently, Ihedioha dedicated his victory to God, saying he would remain focused to deliver tangible dividends of democracy and rebuild the state.
Anyanwu, who was a governorship hopeful in the party primary, had approached the Federal High Court to void the election.
But delivering judgment, Agbo said the plaintiff could not convince the court in the prayers he sought and, therefore, dismissed them for ‘lack of proof.’
Anyanwu had rejected the results of the primary and approached the courts to challenge its outcome, whereas five other aspirants had congratulated Ihedioha on his victory.
Besides, the Action Alliance (AA) has withdrawn the case against Ihedioha’s victory from the Election Petition Tribunal.
In a statement issued by National Chairman of the party, Kenneth Udeze, the party gave reasons for withdrawing the case, including recent developments in some states and the defection of the running mate of its governorship candidate in the state, Acho Ihim.
“This statement is in conformity with AA constitution 2005 as amended. In view of a letter from the National Secretariat of the party addressed to Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly and endorsed by National Chairman and Secretary of the party,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House, Chiji Collins, has said the lawmakers would assist Governor Ihedioha-led state government to succeed by working harmoniously with the executive.
Chiji stated this yesterday at a ceremony held in his honour by his kinsmen shortly after his emergence as Speaker, adding that under his leadership, the executive and the legislative arms would enjoy a harmonious working relationship that would ensure that dividends of democracy get to the grassroots.
The Speaker stressed that people suffer in any democracy where there is rancour between the executive and legislative arms insisting, however, that a smooth relationship between both arms would not undermine the independence of each of them.
Speaking, a PDP chieftain, Chinedu Chukwuonye, said Imo people were blessed to have a system where the executive and legislative arms were ready to partner for the development of the state.
