From Segun Babatunde in Bauchi
Hon Emeka Ihedioha suffered a daylight robbery when his election as governor of Imo State was nullified by the Supreme Court in January 2020, Hon Yakubu Dogara, the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives has said.
Speaking at the Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the 90 birthday of Ihedioha’s mother, Dame Dorothy Ihedioha at St James Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja Sunday, Hon Dogara noted the stolen electoral mandate of Ihedioha did not in any way break his spirit as he has moved on with life.
It could be recalled that the Apex Court in February 2020 nullified Ihedioha’s victory in the 2019 Governorship election in Imo State and declared Hope Uzodinma who finished fourth in the exercise as the duly elected Governor of the state.
According to a Press release issued by the former Speaker’s Media Aide, Turaki Hassan Adamu and made available to newsmen Sunday ,Hon Dogara praised Ihedioha’s resilience and courage, which attributes, he said came from the upbringing he received his from mother.
“We want to thank God for the gift of life and more importantly the gift of longevity. As it is said that the impact of life is not measured by the quantum of years you live but by how impactful one’s life is. We have see the impact of your life in the church, the community and in the lives of your children as represented by my wonderful brother His Excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha saying, “He has supported me and one of the meetings that led to my emergence as Speaker was held in his guest house.
“I want to say this with all humulity that our brother here (Ihedioha) suffered a brazen daylight, and I can be quoted but I thanked God that he didn’t bend or became depressed. And I believe it is his faith in God that kept him and he mush have contacted this grace from our mother.
“Mama we thank God for your life and we pray you will continue to age in grace and by His Grace you will reach the 120 years in good health and in prosperity. And we will be here to celebrate with you because you are ahead of us so we will come too.