New Imo Governor struggles for Legitimacy

The administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has been met with hostility by indigenes of the State following his inauguration almost two months ago. There had been protests in several States against the Supreme Court judgment which ousted the immediate former Governor of the State, Emeka Ihedioha from office and declared Uzodinma Governor, having added more than 200,000 votes to his initial result as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Imo State indigenes were not left out as they took to the streets to express their displeasure at the judgment. There was an attack on Governor Uzodinma’s convoy on March 8 by some youths in Mmahu community in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of the State, which did not come as a surprise to observers. The Governor was visiting the area to condole with the families of victims of a truck crash that had occurred in the area. The attack may not be unconnected with the Supreme Court’s dismissal of Ihedioha’s application for a review of its earlier judgment. Some aggrieved indigenes of the State may have been left with a semblance of hope when Ihedioha approached the Supreme Court for a review, only to be let down.