The Abia State Governorship Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, the Abia state
capital, on Tuesday, upheld Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who was candidate of
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the April 11 Governorship election
in the State as winner of the election.
The tribunal dismissed the petition of candidate of the All Progressives
Grand Alliance (APGA), Alex Otti.
The tribunal, sitting in Umuahia, delivered the verdict minutes ago in the
petition filed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship
candidate, Dr Alex Otti.
Otti had sought the nullification of the election of Ikpeazu on the
grounds that the gubernatorial election was marred by irregularities and
malpractice.
In his written address as adopted, the petitioner is claiming that
election did not take place in the three local governments of Obingwa,
Osisioma and Isiala Ngwa North – all strongholds of Dr Ikpeazu.
Otti, therefore, prayed the Justice Bwalla-led tribunal to cancel,
outrightly, results from the three local governments and declare him
winner or alternatively order a re-run in those councils.
Ikpeazu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), however,
dismissed the claims and requests, urging the tribunal to dismiss the case
for lack of merit.
The tribunal dismissed Otti’s petition, saying he had failed to prove his
claims.