Otti’s S’Court victory, validation of will, mandate of Abians – Akobundu, Ogah, others

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Reactions have continued to trail last Friday’s Supreme Court verdict affirming the victory of Dr. Alex Otti as the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Abia State.

Among those who have reacted to the final ruling on the legal battles to unseat Otti following his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on March 22, 2023, include Prince Okey Kanu, Senator Austin Akobundu, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, Rev. Father Christian Anokwuru and Sir Lucky Udoka Nweke Johnson.

They were unanimous that the apex court’s verdict on the Abia governorship legal tussle was a validation of the popular mandate Abians freely gave to Governor Otti at the poll.

In his reaction, Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, noted that with Otti’s Supreme Court victory, Abia has been freed from political buccaneers.

Kanu says: “His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti ‘s victory at the Supreme Court  on this 12th day of  January, 2024 is the final piece of the puzzle in the long-drawn battle  to wrestle Abia back from the stranglehold of political buccaneers. 

“It’s a  battle that  consumed scores of   men and very huge  resources along the way.

“Abians collectively  gave Dr Alex Otti, OFR, the mandate to rebuild Abia. God confirmed  this mandate with  an overwhelming victory at the polls and strengthened Dr Alex Otti to commence the Abia Rebuild Agenda with uncommon vigour.

“Today, the Supreme Court further affirmed Dr Alex Otti’s victory at the March 18th  Governorship polls in Abia.

“Since he was sworn  in on  May 29th, 2023, as the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti has not looked back. He  has refused to be distracted by the election petitions and the asinine propaganda of Abia’s highly pretentious opposition.

“Without equivocation, Dr Alex Otti has achieved in seven months, what PDP subsequent administrations could not achieve in 24 years. And yet, it’s early days.

“With this victory, Dr Alex Otti and his team feel recharged to do even more in the new year than the opposition did in two decades plus.

“Abians rejoice because the new Abia has  birthed and has just received a fresh impetus to blossom in the many weeks and months ahead!

Congratulations to the people’s Governor!”

On his part, Senator Austine Akobundu who represents Abia Central in the red chambers of the National Assembly, observed that the Supreme Court verdict was a “no victor, no vanquished” outcome.  

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) federal lawmaker congratulated Governor  Alex Otti on his Supreme Court victory.

In statement in Umuahia shortly after the judgment validating Gov. Otti’s election by the apex court, Senator Akobundu tasked the Governor to face the serious business of governance and take the verdict as that of No Victor, No Vanquished. 

Akobundu urged the Governor to carry everybody along as he pilots the affairs Abia State, pointing out that the state, at this auspicious time, “deserves a push into a faster track of economic and infrastructural development.”

The Senator also saluted the PDP Governorship Candidate in the 2023 Abia governorship election, Sir Okey Ahiwe and his running mate, Dr Jasper Uche, for their steadfastness in pursuing the course of justice from the Abia State Election Petition Tribunal through the Appeal Court to the Supreme Court as exemplified in their election petitions.

His word: “As a democrat and representative of the people at the apex legislative assembly, I wish to plead to both leaders to see the Supreme Court verdict as a way of solidifying the act of governance that will bring in infrastructure, peace and unity to Abia State.

“This is the time to work for the progress of the state; this is the day to build Abia, God’s Own State; this is period to bring all stakeholders together for the speedy development of the state. It is certainly not the time to segregate amongst political parties or bring in primordial sentiments because doing so will draw Abia backwards and create unnecessary tension that will engender underdevelopment.

“As the Senator representing Abia Central where the governor comes from, I hereby solemnly pledge to join hands with him in attracting the much needed dividends of democracy to the district. Against this backdrop, I, with the cooperation of my brother Senators and members of House of Representatives from our dear state, pledge to eschew petty politics in Abia State. Our focus will be on putting Abia first in the forefront in the comity of states.

“Finally, I congratulate both Gov Otti of the Labour Party (LP) and our gallant Candidate, Chief Okey Ahiwe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the dogged electoral contest that started from the campaigns in 2023 without violence and ended with today’s verdict at the Supreme Court. This clearly shows that our democracy is thriving and growing so rapidly and buoyantly. I want that spirit, that is the spirit of No Victor and No Vanquished to continue. We remain one people irrespective of our political differences.”

Welcoming the Supreme Court ruling, a former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, said that with Otti’s final judicial victory, it was now clear that his mandate is divine.

“Indeed, with this last and final judicial victory, it is now crystal clear to all and sundry that you were nominated by God to serve our people, elected by the masses of Abia and now affirmed by the apex court,” Ogah said, adding: 

“I’m especially glad for your victory as we both share a deep sense of commitment and duty to our home state, Abia, and with backgrounds in the private sector having gained the required experience needed to change the fortunes of Abia State.” 

The former Minister thanked the learned judges of the Supreme Court for maintaining the sanctity of the constitution and upholding the general wish of Abians which they expressed during the gubernatorial election.

“I appreciate in no small measure, the great and indefatigable people of Abia State who displayed their doggedness and utter resoluteness during the election and have kept faith with your administration while this case and human orchestrated distractions lasted at the court, and today, their (Abians) will at the election remains supreme.

“Again, my constant prayer to God for you, dear Governor, is for sustained clarity of purpose, vision and unassailable will in the discharge of the onerous demands of your office as the Executive Governor of Abia State, especially as you continue to change the trajectory of bad leadership in Abia. 

Congratulations our Excellency…,” Ogah said in a statement.

Similarly, the Special Adviser to Governor Otti on Policies and Interventions, Rev. Fr. Christian Uche Anokwuru (Ph.D), also sees Otti’s eventual legal victory as divine.

According to the Catholic Priest, “His Excellency’s triumph at the supreme court stands as a divine affirmation of the people’s resounding choice. 

“In acknowledging the judiciary, we recognize it as the ultimate refuge for the common man. It 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 the chorus of celebration, the people of Abia join their voices in expressing gratitude to the judiciary.”

He added: “In conclusion, this victory at the tribunal, seen as God’s affirmation of the people’s choice, echoes the sentiment that justice, like the shining moon, cannot be concealed. “Congratulations to the people of Abia, and may this triumph serve as a beacon of hope for the resilience of democracy and the enduring spirit of justice in our society.”

Also, the member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Lucky Udoka Nweke Johnson, has felicitated Governor Otti on his Supreme Court victory.

The PDP lawmaker applaud the Supreme Court for its verdict, describing it as a “well deserving victory” for a man God has chosen to lead his people. 

He said the victory has validated that “vox Populi is vox dei.”

“On behalf of the good people of Isuikwuato State Constituency and myself, I felicitate with the Governor, and express gratitude to God for granting the prayers of Abians for a leader of his kind,” Hon. Johnson said, adding that “Governor Otti has proven himself just in a glimpse; having revolutionized the infrastructural rebirth in the state and provides a comprehensive evidence of impeccable leadership.”

Sir Johnson who is the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Due Process and Anti-Corruption, commended the Governor on his Policy formulations and prompt implementations, and pledged his  unalloyed support to the Governor Otti-led administration; assuring the Governor that Isuikwuato State Constituency was  solidly with him.