By Leonard Okachie
The Abia Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Friday said the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and its candidate, Okechukwu Ahaiwe, failed to prove that the state March 18, 2023 election won by Alex Otti of Labour Party was marred by irregularities and not conducted in substantial compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The tribunal consequently struck out the petition filed by the PDP candidate challenging the election of Otti in its almost four-hour judgement.
The tribunal, in the judgment read by Justice G.T.D Gwada, dismissed the three grounds raised by the petitioner for lacking in merit.
It further ruled that the issue of whether Otti was qualified to contest or whether the LP’s Governorship Primary was not duly conducted “were entirely party affairs and, therefore, the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction”.
The tribunal also held that the petitioners were unable to prove beyond reasonable doubt, their allegations that Otti did not score the majority of the lawful votes cast and that the election was marred by corrupt practices and irregularities.
The judgment was delivered at the Federal High Court Room, amidst heavy presence of security personnel. (NAN)
