The lawmaker representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has vowed to challenge his sack by the election petition tribunal.
We recall that the Election Petitions Tribunal for the National and State House of Assembly elections in Imo State made a ruling to disqualify Ugochinyere of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on the grounds that he was not a valid candidate for the election.
Fielding questions on Arise Television’s Morning Show programme on Monday, the lawmaker said he firmly believes that the Appeal Court will rectify the “injustice” done to him.
He said, “We are going to the Appeal Court to challenge this judgement which runs against the express provisions of the constitution and other enabling laws and judicial precedent that have been delivered recently.
“I’ll be asking them to reverse this injustice and reinstate the will of our people expressed at the general election that we won by landslide.”
Ugochinyere explained that the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Court, which convened in Mararaba, confirmed the election results of other House of Representatives members from Imo State, whose primary also took place at the same venue.
He wondered why new principles, lacking any established judicial precedent, were being introduced to prevent his victory when his case came up.
“I have strong confidence in the judiciary and in the Appeal Court, and I hope strongly that this injustice will be reversed by the justices of the Appeal Court,” he emphasised.
Ugochinyere also claimed that Imo State governor Hope Uzodimma was working against him.
He said, “This thing would have been a very easy and peaceful process if not because of the interference of Uzodinma.”
