In a landmark ruling, the Court of Appeal in Lagos has upheld the election of Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, dismissing the appeals brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with their respective governorship candidates. The three-man Appeal Court panel delivered a unanimous decision on Saturday, affirming Otti’s victory at the polls and declaring that it fully complied with the Electoral Act.
Describing the petitions brought by the appellants as nothing more than “a comedy skit brought to a democratic setting,” the appellate court emphasized that the issues of political party membership constitute a pre-election matter within the jurisdiction of the political party. Furthermore, the court clarified that Otti’s participation in the Labour Party, his success in the primary election, and the submission of his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rightfully qualified him to contest in the election.
Addressing the allegations surrounding the Bimodial Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) raised by the PDP and its candidate, the appeal court highlighted the appellants’ failure to substantiate or connect their documentary evidence to the specific aspects of the case.
Following the pronouncement of the judgement, jubilation erupted among Governor Otti’s supporters in various parts of the State, marking a significant moment in Abia’s political landscape.
The Court of Appeal’s definitive stance undoubtedly sets the stage for the consolidation of Governor Alex Otti’s leadership, propelling the state towards a future defined by robust governance and unwavering progress.
