Like Oyetola, Uzodinma controversially became governor in January 2020 via a Supreme Court ruling even though he finished fourth
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The fate of Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State would also be the lot of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, according to many Nigerians on Twitter.
Oyetola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in yesterday’s election, lost his bid to return to office. He was trounced by Ademola Adeleke, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the contest.
In his first victory in 2018, Oyetola was declared winner of the Osun State governorship election in a contest that many Nigerians dubbed fraudulent. Adeleke had won the election in the first round but was muscled out in the second round. He lost by less than 500 votes.
Adeleke protested his loss at the Tribunal and won. He lost at the Appeal Court on technical ground. The reason was that one of the panel members was not present in all the sittings. The Supreme Court upheld the Appeal Court ruling.
Like Oyetola, Uzodinma controversially became governor in January 2020 via a Supreme Court ruling even though he finished fourth in the main election in 2019.
The winner of the poll, Emeka Ihedioha, was sacked by the apex court seven months later through what many called ‘strange mathematics’ that saw the number four in the election becoming number one.
Many Nigerians have reacted to Oyetola’s loss, assuring that Hope Uzodinma would be the next.
@NnamdiChife said: “Hope Uzodinma is next to join Oyetola as a one-term Governor. Every stolen mandate of the people shall be reclaimed.There is hope for ndi Imo state.”
@I_Iam_Illemona said: “Governors in some states should be very worried. Hope Uzodinma being chief among them – there is no way that one will be re-elected.”
@okey_bakassi said: “Hope Uzodinma I believe you watched what has happened in Osun state. Get ready to be served hot breakfast by Imolites.”
@Brighter2N: “Someone should remind Hope Uzodinma that he should start packing his things. Because there won’t be supreme court again. Because Imo state haven’t forgotten.”
@etoh_prosper said: “Imo State are you ready!! Just as the #OsunDecides2022 we are going to flush out this man. The process through which Hope Uzodinma got hold of that office was quite questionable and we will chase him soon. Let’s get it right. Imo lo kan! #ImoDecidessoon.”