Court sacks Alex Otti as Abia Governor-elect; Obidients react

Alex Otti, Governor-elect of Abia state

A Federal High Court in Kano state has nullified the candidature of the Abia State Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti.

The presided judge, Justice M N Yunusa delivered the judgement on Friday, May 19. He also nullified the candidatures of all those who contested the 2023 general elections under the Labour Party (LP) in Abia and Kano States.

The court ruled that the candidates failed to comply with the provisions of the 2022 electoral act.

It was also ruled that Labour Party failed to submit its membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, within 30 days before their primaries and so it has rendered the process null and void.

“The party that has not complied with the provisions of the electoral act cannot be said to have candidates 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."

The Court in Suit No FHC/KN/CS/107/2023 was filed by Mr Ibrahim Haruna Ibrahim against the LP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Reacting to the judgment some Nigerians have taken to social media to share their thoughts.

I don’t know if that state is cursed, right from the time of Orji Uzor Kalu. The only light ???? that’s coming to the state, they are fighting so hard to quench it. They are planning to inaugurate Tinubu who has defiled all electoral processes but just because Labour Party didn’t…
— bwoyilo (@bwoyilo) May 19, 2023

A federal high court in Kano sacks Abia’s governor elect. The people of Abia shouldn’t allow this. After years of suffering bad governance, they finally have a chance to rebuild with a competent man and they want to take it away from them? This must be a joke!
— IRUNNIA (@Irunnia_) May 19, 2023

The judgment of the Federal High Court in Kano cannot stand in law.

The issue of submission of a party’s membership register to INEC cannot be the basis for disqualification of candidates.

It cannot be the basis for nullifying primaries across the country.

It is also belated.
— iamJoshuaOdidika (@JoshuaOdidika) May 19, 2023

Wahala country yi en, Court always play a major role. Something happened in Abia, but you have to go as far as Kano court to have your wish granted.
— AOD (@OkoiluD) May 19, 2023

They ran to KANO to do their dirty judgement, same judgement that put IMO STATE into mess today. Una dey play.
— Omalicha-Uc (@uche4luv9576) May 19, 2023