The Supreme Court on Friday declared Alex Otti as the duly elected governor of Abia State. The apex court’s judgment follows the reserved appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) against Otti’s election, showcasing the legal contestation surrounding the March 18, 2023 election.
Notably, Alex Otti, a member of the Labour Party, secured victory in the 2023 election with 175,466 votes, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His closest rival, Okey Ahiwe of the PDP, garnered 88,529 votes. The Court of Appeal in Lagos had previously dismissed petitions filed by Okey and the PDP, along with Ikechi Emenike of the APC, who sought to nullify Otti’s election.
During the proceedings at the Supreme Court, Okey’s counsel, Uche Ihediuwa, SAN, argued on Wednesday that his client had initially received 108,000 votes in the Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia, but his votes were allegedly reduced. The final judgment from the Supreme Court now solidifies Alex Otti’s position as the governor-elect of Abia State, concluding a legal process that underscored the contested nature of the electoral outcome.