Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has welcomed Wednesday’s Federal High Court judgment in Abuja directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party, saying the ruling will restore peace, order and unity in the party.
Otti congratulated Usman, committee secretary Senator Darlington Nwokocha, members of the caretaker committee and the entire party, describing the judgment as “heartwarming and timely.”
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor said the victory provides an opportunity to reorganise and rejuvenate the party.
“This victory is both heartwarming and timely as it provides us with the opportunity of ensuring that peace, order and unity return to the party, while ensuring reorganisation and rejuvenation of the party to become not just a truly democratic platform that meets the high expectations of its members, but a formidable political party poised to achieve electoral victories and deliver good governance at all levels,” he said.
Otti urged the party leadership to use the judgment to rebuild the party through purposeful and inclusive leadership committed to peace, unity and justice in line with its constitution and ideals.
He also appealed to those behind what he described as “frivolous litigations” against the party to respect the court’s decision, noting that the ruling aligns with an earlier Supreme Court judgment. He assured them of forgiveness and proper reintegration if they chose to obey the law and return as loyal party members.
The governor thanked the court for what he called a “sound judgment” and appreciated supporters of democracy for standing by the party during its difficult period, pledging his continued commitment to strengthening democracy and maintaining peace and order in the country.
Meanwhile, the Abia State Chairman of the Labour Party, Emmanuel Otti, also welcomed the judgment, saying it had restored public confidence in the judiciary.
He expressed confidence that the ruling would stand even if the faction led by Julius Abure approached the Court of Appeal.
“They are just wasting their time,” he said.
Elijah Adeyemi
