Judge denies nullifying Abia governorship election

• The Federal High Court rejects nullifying the candidature of Dr. Alex Otti in the Abia Governorship Election.

• However, the court nullifies the election of the Kano Labour Party (LP) candidates in the 2023 general election.

• The court clarifies that the candidates in Abia were not part of the suit and emphasizes seeking redress in the appropriate division of the court.

In a significant development, a Federal High Court has made a crucial decision regarding the Abia Governorship Election. The court denied the nullification of the candidature of Dr. Alex Otti, who participated in the election as the candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

However, it ruled that the election of the LP candidates in Kano State for the 2023 general election would be nullified.

The case arose when Ibrahim Haruna-Ibrahim filed an application seeking the revocation and setting aside of the certificates of return issued to all LP candidates declared winners in Kano and the 35 states of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Amidst the mixed reactions that followed the court’s judgement, Justice Nasir-Yunusa clarified that the candidates who contested in Abia’s general elections were not involved in the suit. The court’s decision solely focused on nullifying the primary election of the Labour Party in Kano State.

Justice Nasir-Yunusa further stated that the court lacked jurisdiction to order the issuance of a certificate of return. He advised the concerned parties to seek appropriate redress in the relevant division of the court, thereby highlighting the importance of pursuing legal avenues for resolution.

This verdict has implications for both the Abia Governor-elect, Dr. Alex Otti, and the LP candidates in Kano. While the candidature of Dr. Alex Otti remains unaffected, the LP candidates in Kano will have to face the nullification of their election results.

The decision underscores the significance of adhering to due process and seeking legal recourse to address electoral disputes.

In conclusion, the Federal High Court’s ruling has upheld the candidature of Dr. Alex Otti in the Abia Governorship Election, denying its nullification. However, it nullified the election of the Labour Party candidates in Kano State.

The court’s decision highlights the need for candidates and stakeholders to follow legal procedures and seek appropriate divisions of the court for redress. As the legal proceedings continue, it is essential to respect the judicial process and ensure a fair and just resolution.