The Supreme Court has deferred its decision on the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate from the 2023 Abia State gubernatorial election, aiming to challenge Governor Dr. Alex Otti’s victory on March 18, 2023.
After hearing arguments from the involved parties, the apex court, led by Hon. Justice Inyang Okoro and consisting of five Justices, reserved judgment. The court is set to communicate the judgment date to the concerned parties and their legal representatives.
Key points from the PDP vs. Gov. Alex Otti Appeal Hearing at the Supreme Court on January 10, 2024:
Appearance List:
1. Chief Alade Agbabiaka, SAN
2. Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN
3. Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN
4. Ahmed Raji, SAN
5. CAN Nwokeukwu, SAN
6. Chief Uche Ihediwa, SAN
7. A. Malik, SAN
8. Chief Theo Nkire
1st Respondent (INEC):
1. JTU Nnodum, SAN
2. KC Nwufo, SAN
3. E. A. John NWOSU, Esq.
2nd Respondent (Gov. Alex Otti):
1. A. J. Owonikoko, SAN
2. Prof. Fatoke, SAN
3. Akin Afolabi, SAN
4. Ken Ahia, SAN
5. Olusola Dare, Esq.
3rd Respondent (Labour Party):
1. Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN
2. Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN
3. Echezona Etiaba, SAN
4. Dr. Sonny Ajala, SAN
5. Valentine Offia, Esq.
The panel, after considering preliminary motions to strike out certain alleged incompetent issues, heard Chief Okey Ahaiwe/PDP’s appeal and reserved judgment without specifying the date.
During the proceedings, Uche Ihediwa, SAN, PDP’s Counsel, struggled to respond to the court’s inquiry about PDP’s vote count in the IREV result for Obingwa LGA. Ihediwa also failed to clarify why he didn’t attach the Obingwa LGA result, indicating 108,000 votes for PDP, to the petition.
Discussing Obingwa LGA, Owonikoko SAN highlighted that the accredited voters for the State House of Assembly and the Governorship on the same day were approximately 27,000 voters.
Dr. Onyeche Ikpeazu, SAN, argued that the appeal lacked merit, emphasizing that the Obingwa LGA’s purported 108,000 votes relied upon by PDP bore the stamp of the Ward Collation Agent instead of the required Local Government Collation Agent as per the Law.
– KAZIE UKO
