The Governor-elect of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has appealed for calm in the state following a court judgement nullifying his nomination.
A Federal High Court sitting in Kano State and presided over by Justice M N Yunusa nullified the nomination of all Labour Party (LP) candidates in the just-concluded general election in Kano and Abia states.
The court ruled that their emergence was not in compliance with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act.
A copy of the judgement delivered by the court was made public on Friday morning.
The court in Suit No FHC/KN/CS/107/2023 filed by Mr Ibrahim Haruna Ibrahim against the Labour Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ruled that the failure of the Labour Party to submit its membership register to INEC within 30 days before their primaries renders the process invalid.
Read Also: US Secretary of State’s call to Tinubu lacks clarity – Peter Obi
“The party that has not complied with the provisions of the electoral act cannot be said to have a candidate in an election and cannot be declared winner of an election; this being so, the votes credited to the 1st defendant is a wasted vote,” the judge ruled.
Reacting, Otti said that the antics of enemies of Abians would fail, noting that preparations for the May 29 inauguration remain in top gear.
The LP in Abia State also rejected the court judgement, describing it as “laughable”.
“That court pronouncement is laughable. Everybody should go about their normal activities. It is only the tribunal that can remove Alex Otti.
“It is not just a court that will remove someone who was duly elected. Infact I am going to gear up activities for the inauguration,” Labour Party Chairman in Abia State, Hon. Ceekay Igara, said.
Leave a Reply