By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
After many months of uncertainty over who will represent Imo North Senatorial District in the Senate, Mr. Frank Ibezim has been sworn-in by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
The oath of office was administer today (Tuesday) on Ibezim by the the Clerk of the Senate.
Ibezim who is of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was issued his Certificate of Return last week by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as directed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria earlier in the month.
He replaces late Senator Benjamin Uwajimogu Jnr. who died last year prompting INEC to conduct a Bye-election for Okigwe Zone to fill the vacancy created by Uwajimogu’s death.
But Ibezim’s swearing-in was put on hold as INEC did not issue Certificate of Return to him following pre-election court cases involving him and former Senator Godwin Ifeanyi Ararume who went to court to obtain judgement disqualifying Ibezim from flying APC flag in the Okigwe Zone Re-run election.
Nevertheless, Ibezim had on the same day Ararume got his judgement from an Abuja High Court that disqualified him also got another judgement from an Owerri High Court declaring him the authentic APC candidate for the same Bye-election.
However, the Supreme Court last week gave judgement in the pre-election case infavour of Ibezim, saying he was the rightful APC candidate for the election and ordered INEC to issue him with the Certificate of Return immediately.
Ibezim who hails from Umuezeala, Ehime-Mbano, Imo state will complete the remaining tenure of late Uwajimogu.
