Victor EzejaThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abia State chapter has announced its decision to file petitions in court to challenge the results of the governorship and State Assembly elections in the state held on 18th March 2023.
The party said the decision to go to court was taken after reviewing the elections, adding that it will challenge the results, especially in six local government areas where the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) machines were not used.
This was made known in a statement signed by Hon. Elder Abraham Amah, Abia PDP Vice Chairman/Acting State Publicity Secretary.
Amah further revealed that the decision was also informed by their observation that members of the Labour Party are taking their own candidates that won elections to court despite the appeal by the incumbent governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, that all those who lost in the election should sheathe their swords and avoid legal battles that could distract the incoming administration.
He said: “The Abia PDP State Working Committee, SWC and the enlarged State Executive Committee, SEC met today (Tuesday) and reviewed the results after collecting all the materials used in the conduct of the just concluded guber and State House of Assembly elections and has decided to go to court to challenge the results of the Abia guber election, especially in six local government areas where the BIVAS machines were not used.
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“This decision is coming on the heels of members of the Labour Party taking its own candidates that won elections to court despite the honest and wise advise and appeal of the Abia State governor Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu that the winners of the election including the governor-elect, Alex Otti should be spared the burden of litigation which only serves to distract public officers from performing their duties and responsibilities.”
Dr Alex Otti, the candidate of the Labour Party, was last week Wednesday declared the winner of the election after scoring the highest number of votes.
“Abia PDP is shocked to note that at a time when it is making arrangements for a seamless and peaceful transition for the new government, it is the same Labour Party that was declared the winner that is trying to torpedo the process.
“Subsequently, the legal department of the Abia PDP will release the details of its petitions in the next 24 hours and head to the Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the declaration of Alex Otti of the Labour Party as the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election.
“We call on the good people of Abia to remain calm, peaceful and steadfast as we work to reclaim our mandate.”
Ikpeazu had while congratulating Dr Otti on his victory at the polls, promised that he ensure a smooth handover to the incoming administration and urged all those who contested the election and lost to avoid distracting the incoming governor with litigations, noting that he experienced it and such situation does not aid development.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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