Alex Otti
Alex Otti, APGA governorship candidate in Abia has reacted to the judgement of the Election Petition Tribunal delivered in Umuahia on Tuesday.
According to him, the development was nothing other than a travesty of justice and rape of democracy in the state.
Jennifer Ben-Okereke, his personal assistant, in a statement said “It is regrettable that the trial tribunal has again scuttled the people’s hope and desire for positive change, quality and credible governance in the state”.
It quoted Otti describing the verdict as unfortunate and that the tribunal had unwittingly acquiesced in the sinister conspiracy by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to silence and deny the people the mandate, which they freely gave to me and my party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) during the April general elections in the state.
Continuing it said, “It is obvious from the mournful reaction of the common man on the streets of the major towns, cities and villages of Abia state that today’s judgment failed to deliver justice and certainly did not reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people expressed through the ballot. Therefore, it certainly cannot stand.
“The atmosphere of quietude that pervades the length and breadth of the state, in the wake of the judgment clearly demonstrates the feeling of a people shortchanged by an incredible electoral process.
“It is further compounded by the incomprehensible affirmation by the tribunal’s judgment, which legalized the broad-day ambush and robbery of the peoples mandate by PDP.
“I share in the agony, pain, disbelief and frustration of our people. Nevertheless, I encourage our supporters not to despair but to further gird their loins. The battle has not ended.
“We shall explore the next judicial window to seek redress in order to ensure that justice is done and that we recover our stolen mandate.
“I urge you to be calm, peaceful and law abiding while our legal team of erudite lawyers study the judgment and initiate the next line of action.
“We did not envisage that the struggle to liberate our dear state from the stranglehold of the slave masters, who have held down the state from growth and development in the last 16 years, would be a tea party.
“We are committed and resolute and this warped judgment cannot deter us or vitiate our determination and commitment. Rather, it has only strengthened our resolve to fight on until justice is done.
“The struggle is not about the person of Alex Otti but about our state, our impoverished people, our future and that of our future generation.”
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