The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented the Certificate of Return to the Governor elect of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
Uzodinma received the award less than 24 hours after the Supreme Court declared him Governor after nullifying the election of Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He has however be sworn in as Imo State governor.
The governor had earlier ordered all financial institutions in custody of the state funds not to honour any pay-out draft from the government accounts until further notice.
Uzodinma gave the order in a letter by the director-general of his campaign organisation Cosmos Iwu hours after the Supreme Court declared him the duly elected governor of the state on Tuesday.
“Following the Supreme Court judgment of 14, January 2020, I am directed by his Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to take this as your authority/instruction to place a post no debit order on all accounts of the Imo state government maintained in your various institutions,” Iwu said.
“You are by this letter directed to comply and await further instructions from the office of his excellency, the executive governor of Imo state.”
Meanwhile the governors of the APC have in a statement signed Wednesday in Abuja by the chairman of the forum and the Kebbi state governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, congratulated Uzodinma on the development.
The governors affirmed their “commitment to work in synergy with all our APC controlled states and the federal government guided by our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, to strengthen the capacities of our progressive states to create jobs, stimulate economic activity, reduce inequality and diminish poverty in Nigeria.”
The governors while rejoicing with President Muhammadu Buhari, the party and the leaders of the APC, said: “We welcome you to the fold of Progressive Governors as you take over the mantle of leadership in Imo state.
“We congratulates His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma on his victory at the Supreme Court, which affirmed his victory in the March 9, 2019 Governorship election in Imo state.
“We rejoice with you and the people of Imo state, and all lovers of democracy and justice in Nigeria in this rightly deserved victory that restored your stolen mandate.
“We in particular wish to commend your doggedness, resilience, commitment to the rule of law and abiding faith in the judiciary that culminated into this ultimate victory. It is victory at last for us all.”
Uzodinma Sworn In As Imo State Governor
The governor-elect,Senator, Hope Uzodinma and his deputy, Professor Placid Njoku, have been sworn in by the Chief Justice of the state, Justice Pascal Nnadi.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Imo State Government House, hours after Senator Uzodinma received his certificate of return from INEC in Abuja, bearly 24 hours after the Supreme Court nullified the election of former governor Emeka Ihedioha and declared Uzodinma the elected governor of the state.
