Uzodinma v Umeadi: What may Happen in court

Today is the 11th day of January 2021, a day Imo will have a date with destiny, and may bring an end to the Imo governorship controversy, that have dragged on for almost two years, since after the elections.

The party of interest in the matter are, the Supreme Court, that is expected to explain its judgement on Uche Nwosu, and how Hope Uzodinma became governor, despite the existence of a ruling from the same Supreme Court that says otherwise.

Senator Hope Uzodinma, who is presently occupying the governorship seat in Imo, as well as Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, and maybe Uche Nwosu, Ifeanyi Araraume and Samuel Anyanwu, may also be parties of interest by extension, as whatever the outcome of the court ruling, may directly or indirectly affect them.

There are several possibilities, that could happen tomorrow in court.

The first being the court dismissing the case, and coming up with a believable reason for their very controversial ruling.

However, there may emerge other scenarios that may play out.

The court could sack Uzodinma outrightly, and return Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha as Imo State governor. This appears to be the popularly accepted judgement Imo people are anticipating.

However, there remains the possibility of the court, outrightly cancelling the 2019 Elections in Imo State, and calling for fresh elections. They may however bar Uzodinma from participating.

What does this outcome mean for the interested parties?

For Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, he never left his party, and will probably remain the party’s candidate, at the Supreme Court may not cancel the primaries of the parties.

Senator Ifeanyi Araraume was the APGA candidate, but by his defection to APC, he might lose out, if fresh elections are called for. The party would probably give the ticket to whoever the second runner up was, if the person is still in the party. Stanley Amuchi stands a better chance in this regard than Senator Ifeanyi Araraume.

Uche Nwosu would probably not have any problems here, as he is already the candidate of the APC. If the court calls for fresh elections, Nwosu’s disqualification for dual candidacy may be set aside, and this presents an opportunity for Nwosu to get into power. He may simply have to reject the AA ticket, and go into battle with APC.

Senator Samuel Anyanwu Samdaddy will only have a chance, if the court calls for fresh primaries. As highly unlikely as it is, there are possibilities of such ruling, being that there have been many cross carpeting since then. Facing Ihedioha again in another primaries, may not turn out the same outcome as before, as Samdaddy would have learnt his lessons from the last primaries, and come with some new tricks up his sleeves.

There is also the option of an adjustment of the matter, since it’s just going to be a hearing.

There is high anticipation across party lines, and amongst the people of Imo State, as tomorrow approaches. Unlike during the last two court rulings, be Ihedioha was removed and when he was denied review, when there was heavy security presence in the state, the absence of the same security presence, sends confusing signals.

If Ihedioha is declared, there would be celebration across the state instead of protest, so there would not be need for heavy security presence. On the other hand, a ruling in favour of Uzodinma could prompt unrest, which was the reason there was heavy security during the previous rulings that were in his favour.

In a few hours, Imo people will know who will lead them to the next election, and the ghosts of 2019 will probably be permanently put to rest.