The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos on Saturday dismissed a petition by the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Okey Ahiwe, seeking to nullify the election of Labour Party’s Alex Otti as Abia State Governor.

Ahiwe had approached the appellate court after losing an earlier legal challenge at the state election tribunal, which upheld Otti’s March 2023 victory.

The PDP flagbearer had alleged that Otti was unqualified to contest the polls and forged academic credentials.

But the three-member appeals court panel affirmed that he failed to provide sufficient evidence debunking the substantive decision of the lower tribunal.

In his reaction, Ahiwe urged his supporters to keep calm and retain confidence despite the setback. 

“When we embarked on the journey to reclaim our mandate through judicial processes, it was a calculated resolution and we were conscious that the journey would not be a sprint but a peculiar marathon with inevitable twists and turns,” he said.

“Our destination was clearly defined from the onset, and our focus is unchanged. So, at this juncture, our faith in God is renewed, as well as our solid confidence in the judiciary.

“I therefore encourage all my supporters to stay calm, keep praying to God, and look beyond the eclipse of transitional sunset,” his media aide Victor Nwokocha quoted him as saying.

The petitioner said his legal team will thoroughly review the appeal judgment while he consults party leaders on the next step.

The PDP is expected to escalate the case to the Supreme Court as it continues challenging Otti’s governorship, citing alleged irregularities.