ABUJA, Nigeria – In a pivotal ruling, the Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Alex Otti of the Labour Party as the Governor of Abia State, dismissing the appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its governorship candidate, Okey Ahiwe, as well as Ikechi Emenike of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The apex court’s decision, delivered on Friday, January 12, 2024, came after a five-man panel, led by Justice John Okoro, thoroughly reviewed the appeals challenging Otti’s victory in the March 18 governorship election.
The panel reserved judgment on the appeals by the PDP and the APC against Otti’s election and subsequently adjudicated on the matters after hearing arguments from all parties involved.
Alex Otti emerged victorious in the closely contested election, securing 175,466 votes and decisively defeating his nearest competitor, Okey Ahiwe of the PDP, who garnered 88,529 votes.
The validation of Otti’s election by the Supreme Court marks a significant moment in Abia State’s political history and represents a major triumph for the Labour Party.
The ruling effectively puts to rest the legal challenges that had cast a shadow over the gubernatorial election’s outcome.
