PDP ignores Ikpeazu, heads to election tribunal to “reclaim mandate” from Otti

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia 

Unable to bear its shocking defeat in the 2023 general elections, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has decided to challenge the return of the Labour Party candidate, Dr Alex Otti, as winner of the March 18, 2023 Governorship election in the state at the Election Petitions Tribunal.

Abia PDP said it has discovered that that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was not used in conducting the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in six local government areas and was, therefore, going to court to challenge the results of the polls, vowing that it would reclaim its mandate through the tribunal.

The decision is coming against the backdrop of the advice given by the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who described such legal action as a huge distaction to the occupant of the governorship position.

The Labour Party roundly defeated PDP in the just concluded 2023 polls. Labour won the Presidential and the National Assembly elections.

In the NASS elections, Labour won a senatorial and six out of the eight House of Representatives positions.

Labour also defeated the PDP in the governorship contest, with its candidate, Dr. Alex Otti, emerging victorious, a development that threw Abians across the state into wild jubilation. The young opposition party also won about 10 of the 24 House of Assembly seats.

Following Otti’s emergence as winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship race in the state, Ikpeazu, on March 22, congratulated him on his victory.

In the congratulatory message, Ikpeazu was quoted as advising those who contested with Otti not to challenge his victory in court.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, in a statement, on behalf of his principal, said:

“Dr Ikpeazu is of the considered opinion that the Governor-Elect should be given an enabling environment to run the affairs of state from May 29th, 2023 and hereby advises the candidates not to distract the incoming Governor with court cases.

“According to the Governor, ‘having myself spent about three and half years in different courts and having experienced first hand, the distraction such cases can cause a leader,’ I appeal to every candidate in this election not to distract the incoming administration with court cases, so that they  will settle down and deal with the very demanding business of governance. 

“Let us break this negative trend of subjecting our Governors to endless litigations and allow them to concentrate on providing good governance.”

Ikpeazu further  assured the Governor-elect that he would put in place every necessary measure to ensure a seamless transition from his administration to that of Otti.”

But Ikpeazu’s advice and appeal seem to have gone to the marines as the PDP, of which he is the leader in the state, has resolved to challenge the outcome of the governorship election.

The party took the decision after a joint meeting of its State Working Committee (SWC) and enlarged State Executive Committee (SEC) on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

“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 BVAS machines were not used,” said the Abia PDP Vice Chairm (North) and Acting Publicity Secretary, Elder Abraham Amah, in a statement.

Explaining why the party was taking the legal option, Amah said it was because the Labour Party rejected Ikpeazu’s appeal that no one should go to court.

“This decision is coming on the heels of the Labour Party taking PDP House of Assembly members-elect to court despite the honest and wise advice and appeal of the Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, that the those that have been declared 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,” the statement added.

The party said it was taken aback by attempts by Labour Party to put a spanner in the wheels of the arrangements it was making to ensure a seamless transition on May 29, 2023.

“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,” the PDP said.