Tribunal rejects PDP's complaint against Otti in Abia guber case

The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, convened in Umuahia, rendered a decision on Friday to dismiss the petition submitted by Chief Okechukwu Ahaiwe, the candidate representing the People's Democratic Party (PDP). The petition contested the election victory of Governor Alex Otti from the Labour Party (LP).

The panel consisting of three members delivered a verdict that lasted over four hours. Justice G.T.D Gwada, in reading the judgement, dismissed the three reasons presented by the petitioner, deeming them lacking in substance.

The tribunal rendered a unanimous verdict, concluding that the petitioners were unsuccessful in their endeavor to persuade the panel that the election was tainted by irregularities and did not adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 in a significant manner, beyond a reasonable doubt.

The tribunal additionally determined that the question of Otti's eligibility to participate in the election, as well as the alleged lack of proper conduct in the LP's Governorship Primary, fell under the purview of internal party matters. Consequently, the tribunal concluded that it lacked the competence to address these issues.

The tribunal further determined that the petitioners failed to establish, with a high degree of certainty, their claims that Otti did not get the majority of the valid votes and that the election was tainted by instances of corruption and procedural irregularities.

According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the verdict was pronounced in the Federal High Court Room, with a significant presence of security personnel.