Percy Onyeka
The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia has struck out the Abia Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) petition against the election of Governor Alex Otti for lack of merit.
The three man tribunal panel, sitting in Umuahia in a unanimous judgement read by Justice H.T.D. Gwadah on Friday,6th October 2023, dismissed the petition filed by Chief Okey Ahaiwe, Abia state PDP Governorship candidate and Abia state PDP for lack of merit and affirmed Governor Alex Otti of Abia state Labour party as the duly elected Governor of Abia state after the March 18,2023, Governorship election.
Delivering judgement, Justice Gwadah held that on the issue of whether Dr. Otti was qualified to contest the election, the arguments of the petitioners were pre election matters which the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain.
The tribunal also stated that the petitioners failed to lead evidence on the allegation of forgery of NYSC certificate leveled against Dr. Alex Otti and could not prove their case, while stating that NYSC is not a factor for qualifying or disqualifying a candidate.
The tribunal equally stated that no witness was called by the petitioners to speak on documents tendered to prove their allegation of over voting, which made the documents to be of no value.
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In an interview, Counsel to the petitioners, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwaogu, said they would study the judgement and decide on the next line of action with their client in line with the provisions of the law.
Reacting on Otti’s victory at the tribunal,the Labour Party Chairman in Abia State, Mr. CeeKay Igara described the judgement as a reflection of the will of the people who overwhelmingly voted for Dr. Alex Otti.
Meanwhile, Abia state PDP, through its Acting State Publicity Secretary,Hon. Abraham Amah,has called for calm, amongst it’s members and stated that they will appeal the judgement of the tribunal.
Techrectory with Agency Report.
