The governorship election petitions tribunal sitting in Umuahia on Friday struck out the petition filed by the PDP candidate, Okechukwu Ahaiwe, challenging the election of Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party.

The three-member panel, in its almost four-hour judgement, read by Justice G.T.D Gwada, dismissed the three grounds raised by the petitioner for lacking in merit.

In a unanimous decision, the tribunal held that the petitioners failed to convince the panel that the election was marred by irregularities and not conducted in substantial compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 beyond reasonable doubt.

It further ruled that the issue of whether Mr Otti was qualified to contest or whether the LP’s governorship primary was not duly conducted “were entirely party affairs and, therefore, the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction”.

The tribunal also held that the petitioners could not prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, their allegations that Mr Otti did not score the majority of the lawful votes cast and that corrupt practices and irregularities marred the election.

The judgment was delivered at the Federal High Court room amidst the heavy presence of security personnel.

(NAN)