Tribunal Rulings reflection of wishes of masses, Otti declares as Ahaiwe calls for calm

By Emeka Okafor

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has dedicated his victory at the governorship election petition tribunal to his teeming supporters while asserted that his victory shouldn’t have been contested in the first place and expressed joy that the wishes of the people have come to fruition.

The governor who are the weekend was reacting to his victory at the tribunal which dismissed and nullified the petitions of the PDP and APC governorship candidates at his Nvosi Country home,Isiala Ngwa South Local Goveenment Area ,thanked Abians for their massive supports before,during and after the elections.

“If you follow the election and everything that happened thereafter,you will know that quite frankly this victory shouldn’t have been contested in the first place,but then,i also do not deny my opponents their rights to go to court”

He thanked the jurists and all those who ensured that justice prevailed in the end.

The Governor also thanked God for the victory and pleged to continue to serve Abians diligently, describing the victory as a reflection of the sacrifice made by Ndiabia in the 2023 Governorship election.

He advised his opponents to sheath their swords and join hands with him to develop the state.

“My advise to my opponents is that this is a good time to sheath their sword and join hands with me to develop our state ,Abia.Any how you slice and dice it, it costs a lot of money to engage in litigation. while I will not ask them to bring the money to me i would advise that each of them have villages that are dilapidating, without roads, without water and i believe that their communities will appreciate it if they would channel those resources to building roads in their villages and communities”

He said the resources can be used in providing pipe borne water and ensuring that this state remains peaceful for the benefit of its inhabitants ,Otti added.

The Governor also thanked God for the victory and pledged to continue to serve Abians diligently, describing the victory as a reflection of the sacrifice made by Ndiabia in the 2023 Governorship election.

Recall that the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for the State during its sitting in Federal High Court Complex,Umuahia, Friday evening, had dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party and it’s Governorship candidate, Dr Okey Ahaiwe for lack in merit

The same Friday evening, the Election Petition Tribunal nullified the Petition brought before it by the All Progressive Congress Governorship candidate, High Chief Ikechi Emenike day s petition against the election of Governor Alex Otti, also, for lacking in merit, while affirmed his election as the duly elected Governor of Abia State.

The tribunal led by Justice H.T.D. Gwadah had while delivering Judgement on the. dismissed petition brought by Chief Ambrose Okechukwu Ahaiwe and the Peoples Democratic Party challenging the outcome of the March 18, 2023 Governorship election in the State 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.

It also pointed out that the petitioners failed to lead evidence on the allegation of forgery of NYSC certificate leveled against Dr. Otti and could therefore not prove their case, while noting that NYSC was also not a factor for qualifying or disqualifying a candidate.

The tribunal insisted that no witness called by the petitioners spoke on documents tendered to prove their allegation of over voting, which made the documents to be of no value, just as the petitioners failed to prove their claim that the result of Obingwa Local Government Area was taken to Abuja where it was allegedly doctored before being brought back to Abia to be declared.

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.

Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the Tribunal judgement as the State Labour Party Chairman, Mr. CeeKay Igara described the judgement as a reflection of the will of the people who overwhelmingly voted for the Party.

However in his reaction the Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the March 18th 2023, Governorship elections, Chief Okey Ahaiwe expressed profound appreciation to his numerous supporters, his legal team, family, friends and associates, emphasising that “there is no cause for alarm regarding the Tribunal verdict as truth and justice will ultimately triumph.”

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His reaction was contained in a release issued by his media adviser, Victor C. Nwokocha, Friday evening, Ahaiwe expressed unblemished 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.

Also reacting, the PDP through Elder Abraham Amah who doubles as the State Vice Chairman for Abia North and acting Publicity Secretary said the PDP rejects the judgement in its totality .

However, as at the time of filling in this report, Saturday morning, the State capital and Aba has remained calm as there has not been any resorted protest nor demonstration.

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