Two witnesses have testified at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Umuahia, alleging that Governor Alex Otti did not officially resign from his membership in the All Progressives Congress (APC) before contesting the governorship position under the banner of the Labour Party (LP).
Friday Ugorji, Chairman of Ward 5 in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area (LGA), and Engr Alozie Macsolomo, the Director of Records, Documentations, and Mobilization of the APC, both testified as witnesses. Ugorji, identified as PW2, stated that Alex Otti’s name remained on the top of the ward’s APC party register even after he ran as a candidate for the Labour Party. He further claimed that Otti left the APC without following due process and did not submit any resignation letter.
Similarly, Engr Alozie Macsolomo, referred to as PW3, asserted that Governor Otti did not officially resign from the APC as required by the Electoral Act. He cited paragraph 10 of his written deposition, which he had earlier adopted in the witness box.
The governorship election petition was filed by Chief Ikechi Emenike of the APC. Tochukwu Maduka, SAN, the chief counsel representing the petitioner, has concluded presenting their case.
The tribunal has scheduled a recess until Tuesday, August 8, 2023, when the respondents will commence their defense proceedings.
