Dismissed Appeal by PDP and APC against the Appeal Court Judgement.
“Membership of a political party is an internal party affair”
the Court Ruled.
On the OBINGWA Result, the Apex Court rejected it entirely.
The Five-member panel of Justices, led by Uwani-Aji, dismissed the appeal filled by Okey Ahiwe, candidate of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), deeming it as “lacking in merit”
The apex Court also dismissed the appeal filled by Ikechi Emenike, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) In March 2023, Otti of the Labour Party(LP) was declared winner of the governorship election in Abia after he polled 175,466 votes to defeat Ahiwe of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) who scored 88,529 votes.
Unsatisfied with the result, Ahiwe and his party challenged the outcome of the election at the Tribunal.
They contended that Otti was not qualified to run for the election because he was not a registered member of LP and forged his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
The tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations against the respondent.
The tribunal also held that the contention over Otti’s qualification to contest the the election was a pre-election matter that tribunal cannot adjudicate on.
