The Lagos State Appeal Court has upheld the victory of Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, in the 2023 election.
In a unanimous decision on Saturday, the court affirmed that the election was conducted in conformity with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Consequently, the court dismissed the appeals brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their respective governorship candidates challenging Mr Otti’s victory.
The court deemed their petitions lacking merit, describing them as “a comedy skit brought to a democratic setting.”
Additionally, the court held that issues of political party membership are pre-election matters, falling within the jurisdiction of the political party.
The appellate court also held that since Mr Otti joined the Labour Party, won its primary election and submitted his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he was qualified to contest.
Ruling on the issues of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) brought by the PDP and its candidate, the Appeal Court said that they failed to demonstrate or link their documentary evidence to the specific parts of the case.
Meanwhile the PDP, in a statement signed by Abraham Amah, its Vice Chairman and acting Publicity Secretary in Abia.
“We call on members of the PDP, our numerous supporters and sympathisers and the good people of Abia State to remain steadfast, calm, peaceful, law abiding and put our hope and trust in God and in the judiciary as we explore the options available to us,” it said.
