Tribunal affirms Otti’s election as Abia governor

The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, yesterday, affirmed election of Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party in the March 18, 2023 poll.

The tribunal dismissed the petition filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Okey Ahaiwe, challenging Otti’s election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The three-member tribunal led by Justice H.T.D Gwadah, in a unanimous judgment, dismissed PDP’s petition for lacking merit, declaring Otti as the duly elected governor of Abia State.

On Otti’s non-qualification to contest the election as alleged by Ahaiwe, Justice Gwadah held that Otti was qualified, describing the issue of qualification as a matter that should have been determined before the election hence the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain pre-election matters.

The PDP through its Vice Chairman/acting Publicity Secretary, Elder Abraham Amah, rejected the tribunal’s verdict. In a statement, Amah said: “We are not surprised at the judgment because all along, Alex Otti and the Labour Party carried on with all manner of subterfuge to subvert the judicial process. A few days ago, Otti and his men have been around town bragging that the petitions of the PDP and the other parties that challenged Otti’s declaration as winner of the 2023 Abia governorship election would be thrown into the trash bin.”

Similarly, Ahaiwe, in his reaction, through his Media Adviser, Mr. Victor C. Nwokocha, expressed profound appreciation to his numerous supporters, legal team, family, friends and associates.

He said that there is no cause for alarm regarding the tribunal’s verdict as truth and justice will ultimately triumph

“I have unblemished confidence in the Judiciary as our legal team would thoroughly examine the judgment of the tribunal and advise accordingly on the next line of action. I, therefore, urge our teeming supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, as necessary consultations are being made on the verdict.”

Meanwhile, there was peaceful jubilation in the state over Otti’s affirmed victory, which in many quarters, was expected.