Atiku reacts to Imo Supreme Court judgement, says rule of law is ultimate

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, said Nigerians must accept the judgement of the Supreme Court, which sacked Emeke Ihedioha as Imo governor.

The apex court, had on Tuesday, January 14, nullified Ihedioha's election as the state governor, and handed over the victory of the March 9 governorship election to Senator Hope Uzodinma, who contested against Ihedioha.

Reacting to the judgement, the 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the Supreme Court verdict was unexpected and unpalatable, adding that since the Supreme Court is final, Nigerians must accept its judgement.

After flooring all petitioners at the tribunal, challenging his victory at Imo governorship poll, the Supreme Court sacked Emeka Ihedioha from the state government house. [This Day] Pulse Nigeria

Atiku's statement reads as follows, "With regards to the judgment of the Supreme Court, which nullified the election of the candidate of the @OfficialPDPNig, @EmekaIhedioha, as Governor of the state of Imo, I can only say that since the Supreme Court is final, we must accept its judgment.

"However unexpected and unpalatable it may be. The Rule of law must guide our paths even if logic sheds light on a different path. Let me state unequivocally that I solidarize with @EmekaIhedioha, a man I know to be a great leader of men and resources.

"In the fullness of time, I am convinced that he will overcome this setback and emerge stronger.

"I also stand fully with the Peoples Democratic Party. In good and bad times, we must continue to be the object of hope that the Nigerian people have for their escape from the prevailing despotism and despair that has gripped almost every aspect of our national life.

"We provided genuine democracy for this nation once before, and I believe it is our destiny to democratically restore what has been lost due to the encroachment of anti-democratic agents.

"Philosophers have said that tough times never last, but that tough people do. I urge the people of Imo and the entirety of the Nigerian people not to give in to despair.

"This nation has gone through despotic times before, and we have survived them and thrived. I am very confident that this history will repeat itself.

"My greatest desire, and one I hope to see again in my lifetime, is that Nigeria will fulfill its potential as the land of Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress. These four ideals have been missing from our borders for a while, and all freedom-loving Nigerians ought to henceforth work together to bring them back. So help us God."

24 hours after the Supreme Court declared him the legitimate winner of the governorship election, Uzodinma through the Director of his Campaign Organization, Chief Cosmas Iwu, ordered the immediate freezing of all Imo government accounts.

The letter dated January 14, 2020, signed by Iwu, and addressed to the Regional Directors/Managers of all financial institutions operating in the state, was captioned 'order of post no debit on the account of Imo State Government, effective immediately, January 14, 2020'.