BREAKING: Tribunal Delivers Judgement on PDP’s Petition Challenging Gov Otti’s Victory in Abia
- The petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Chief Okey Ahiwe against Governor Alex Otti has been dismissed
- The three-man panel led by Hon. Justice H.T.D Gwadah dismissed Ahiwe's petition for lack of merit on Friday, October 6
- The PDP and Ahiwe had filed a petition stating that Otti was not qualified to contest, did not win, the majority of the votes and there were irregularities in the election.
Abia state, Umuahia - The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, has given its final verdict on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Okey Ahiwe, challenging the victory of Gov. Alex Otti.
The tribunal dismissed Ahiwe’s petition for lack of merit, and subsequently resolved in favour of Otti of the Labour Party (LP), Vanguard reported.
The three-man panel led by Hon. Justice H.T.D Gwadah dismissed the PDP and Ahiwe petitions “that the Respondent was not qualified to run, did not win majority lawful votes, and that there were irregularities at the poll.
As reported by The Nation, the tribunal after dismissing the motions went on a short recess to continue with the petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Ikechi Emenike against Gov. Otti.
Tinubu’s justice minister Fagbemi appears at the tribunal
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that there was a commotion at the Abia state governorship petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia, as the Justice minister-designate, Lateef Fagbemi, showed up at the court.
Fagbemi is the lead counsel to Governo Otti, the candidate of the Labour Party, in the suit filed by the PDP and APC and their candidates, Ahiwe and Emenike, respectively.
Gov Otti Funding Peter Obi’s Case? Details Emerge
Otti was accused of funding the legal fees of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi's cases to retrieve his mandate from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
During a press briefing, this allegation was levelled against Governor Otti by the national body of the All Progressives Youths of Abia under the aegis of the Abia Youths Interest Group (AYIG) platform.
Abia residents speak on Alex Otti’s performance
The expectations among Abia State residents and indigenes are high following the emergence of Dr Alex Otti as governor of the southeastern state.
This is the first time an opposition party will produce a governor in Abia state since the return of democracy in 1999 and the people expect something outside the usual.
Source: Legit.ng