Supreme Court verdict: Abia PDP congratulates Otti as Methodist cleric savours victory

The Abia PDP has congratulated Gov. Alex Otti on his final victory at the Supreme Court against the party’s appeal challenging his election.

Our correspondent reports that the apex court on Friday affirmed Otti’s victory as governor in the March 18, 2023, poll in Abia.

In a swift reaction to the judgment, the PDP Vice Chairman/Acting State Publicity Secretary, Chief Abraham Amah, said that the verdict had brought the case to an end.

Also, in the congratulatory statement made available to our correspondent in Umuahia, Amah urged Otti “to deliver on his campaign promises to the electorate”.

He gave assurance that “we would always offer incisive and constructive criticism to help redirect your government, whenever it wants to stray,” he stated.

In a similar vein, Archbishop Chibuzor Opoko of the Methodist Archdiocese of Umuahia, described Otti’s victory as one for “all Abia people, who need a change”.

Opoko, who spoke in an interview with NAN in a reaction to the judgment, thanked God that justice had been served on Abia governorship poll.

According to him, it is not Otti’s victory, it is a victory for prayers by the people who also worked for it as well as victory of light.

“I had told people that what the opponents were going to Supreme Court to do was an exercise in futility because Abia people wanted a change.

“If what I see now in Abia is being done in less than five months, in terms of infrastructure development, then we have a hope.

“I thank God that the Supreme Court Judges have once again shown that there is justice because what would have happened in Abia would have been unprecedented, if things had gone the wrong way.

“Therefore, by this victory, they should allow this man to work,” the cleric further said.

Also, a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru, said in a reaction that Otti’s triumph “stands as a divine affirmation of the people’s resounding choice”.

Anokwuru, an aide to the Govenor on Policies and Intervention, described the judiciary as “the ultimate refuge for the common man.

“The judiciary serves as the bastion of justice, where fairness prevails and the rule of law is upheld.

“This landmark victory is a testament to the pivotal role the judiciary plays as the last hope for justice in our society.

“In a chorus of celebration, the people of Abia join their voices in expressing gratitude to the judiciary.

“In conclusion, this victory, seen as God’s affirmation of the people’s choice, echoes the sentiment that justice, like the shining moon, cannot be concealed,” the clergyman said.

Our correspondent reports that Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, who read the lead judgment, had affirmed the election of Otti as the validly elected Governor of Abia.

Otti polled 175,466 votes to defeat PDP’s Okey Ahiwe, his closest rival and major challenger, who scored 88,529 votes in the election.