… Accept defeat with humility, Otti tells opponents
Abia State election petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia, has dismissed the petition written by Chief Ikechi Emenike, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in last general election.
The three-man tribunal in its ruling, said the case was lacking in merit.
The tribunal while dismissing the matter, said it was “strange to jurisprudence”.
Emenike had prayed the Court to sack Otti and declare him the duly elected Governor of Abia State.
He alleged that Otti did not resign his membership of the APC, before joining the Labour Party.
Emenike, who is the husband to the Nigerian ambassador to the United States of America, Dr Uzoma Emenike, also alleged that Otti’s name was not found in LP register, when he was nominated by the party, as their guber candidate, in 2023 polls.
Earlier on Friday afternoon, the tribunal had thrown out the case brought by Chief Okey Ahaiwe who was the PDP guber candidate in the March 18 polls.
In his reaction to verdict, Dr. Alex Otti dedicated his victory to the people of Abia state, saying that the victory would spur him to serve the people with greater zeal and passion as a way of appreciating their show of love and unflinching solidarity.
Otti whose message of appreciation was signed by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, said:
” Even though we never entertained any atom of fear over the suit filed against us, going by the landslide victory we recorded at the polls, coupled with the sound submissions made by our team of erudite lawyers to defend our victory, I was however moved by the unprecedented show of love, support and solidarity from our people which is a manifestation of their appreciation of the modest achievements we have recorded so far, hence my resolve to serve them with greater zeal and passion”.
He thanked the Judges for their sound judgement which reflected what happened at the polls and what majority of the people truly expected, and maintained that nothing enriches the legal jurisprudence and strengthens democracy more than dispensing justice to those that deserve it.
The Abia Governor therefore, urged his opponents to accept the judgement with humility and equanimity and join hands with him to work for the development of the state, knowing very well that he won the election clearly.
Concluding, Otti assured that he would work for the overall wellbeing of all Abians, irrespective of their political party membership.
