Abia Guber: Otti Rejects Tribunal Judgment, Says It's A 'Rape Of Democracy'

 

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the April 2015 election in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, is not satisfied with the Tuesday judgment of the state Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

 

In a statement on his behalf yesterday by his Personal Assistant on Media, Jennifer Ben-Okereke, Otti said justice was not served in the judgment.

According to her, the judgment of the tribunal was nothing but a travesty of justice and rape of democracy in the state.

 

“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 is also unfortunate that the tribunal has 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, APGA, during the April general elections in the state,” Otti said.

 

Otti noted: “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 the 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 legalised the broad-day ambush and robbery of the peoples mandate by PDP.”

 

He urged the people of the state to remain law abiding as he vowed that the case would be pursued to a logical end through legal means.

 

“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 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,” he assured the people.