- Safiu Kehinde
Eminent Nigerian politicians were, on Monday, gathered at the 60th birthday celebration of former Imo state governor, Emeka Ihedioha.
The event was held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Intercontinental Hotel.
In attendance were former President, Olusegun Obasanjo; 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi.
Also in attendance were former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku; former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; immediate past governor of Katsina, Aminu Masari; and former Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, amongst others.
Speaking at the event, Atiku hailed Ihedioha for his loyalty and dedication even when they found themselves on different political platforms.
“Emeka and I have kept this relationship and till today I have found him extremely loyal, dedicated and focused even though sometimes we found ourselves on different political divides but we kept our relationship and I think that testifies with the kind of person Emeka is,” he said.
Ihedioah served as governor of Imo State from 2019 to 2020.
He was, however, removed from office on 14 January 2020, by the Supreme Court of Nigeria which declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hope Uzodinma, the authentic winner of the 2019 gubernatorial election.
Prior to his governorship stinct, Ihedioah represented the Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State from 2003 to 2015 at the House of Representatives.
He was deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from 2011 to 2015.
In 2015, Ihedioha briefly served as acting speaker upon the swearing-in of Aminu Tambuwal as governor of Sokoto State on 29 May 2015.