Alfred Lahiri and Kamsi Anayo
The Abia State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, on Friday, declared Governor Alex Otti of Abia State as the winner of the disputed March 18, 2023 governorship election and upheld his victory.
The court sitting in Umuahia, the state capital, threw away three of the prayers brought forth by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okey Ahaiwe, against Otti.
The tribunal ruled that Ahaiwe’s case against Otti of the Labour Party (LP) lacked merit.
Recall that Ahaiwe had contested the declaration of Otti as the duly elected governor by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ahaiwe, through his lawyer, Paul Ananaba, SAN, had requested the court to remove Otti and declare him the winner, citing non-conformity with Section 77 of the Electoral Act, among other grievances.
But the tribunal dismissed all of Ahaiwe’s requests for lacking in merit.
After the judgement thousands of supporters of the LP went into celebration and dancing in various parts of the State.
In his reaction to the Tribunal verdict, the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) candidate in the state, Chief Okey Ahiwe expressed appreciation to his numerous supporters, his legal team, family, friends and associates.
Ahiwe said: “there is no cause for alarm regarding the Tribunal verdict as truth and justice will ultimately triumph.”
While expressing confidence in the judiciary, he said that his legal team would thoroughly examine the judgment of the Tribunal and advise accordingly on the next line of action.
In a statement by his Media Adviser, Victor C Nwokocha, Chief Ahiwe called on his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding
He assured that, following due consultations with his legal team and leadership of his party, he would keep them informed on the direction to take.
Meanwhile , the tribunal is currently presiding over the case brought by Ikechi Emenike of the APC against Otti.
Emenike is seeking the removal of Governor Otti on the grounds that he failed to resign his membership from the APC prior to joining the LP.
The APC candidate in the gubernatorial election held on March 18th is alleging that Otti’s name was not included in the LP register during the election.