Otti’s Victory in Retrospect: The 4-day drama that redefined Abia’s political destiny

By Steve Oko

March 22, 2023, will remain a landmark date in Abia State’s political history—a day when tension gave way to triumph, and the will of the people prevailed.

The governorship election, held on Saturday, March 18, began as a routine democratic exercise but quickly evolved into a four-day political drama that captured the state’s attention. The collation of results at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Umuahia became a theatre of suspense, suspicion, and high-stakes maneuvering.

By Monday morning, Alex Otti of the Labour Party had established a commanding lead, winning 10 of the 16 declared local government areas (LGAs) with 172,246 votes, far ahead of his closest rival, Chief Okey Ahiwe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had 78,628 votes.

The drama intensified over Obingwa LGA, historically a decisive battleground due to its large voting population. Rumours of inflated figures—initially 40,000 votes, later reported as 120,000—threatened to derail the process. Only 26,845 voters were accredited in the LGA, making the circulating numbers impossible.

Tensions escalated further as INEC suspended collation in Obingwa after suspected political thugs attacked its office. The focus shifted to Abuja for a forensic review of the disputed results, while protests erupted across the state demanding transparency.

After days of scrutiny, INEC resumed collation on March 22. State Returning Officer, Professor Nnenna Otti, stood firm under intense pressure. She verified the Obingwa figures: PDP 9,962 votes, Labour Party 3,776 votes, and officially declared Alex Otti the winner.

The announcement sparked jubilation across Abia, as citizens celebrated not just a victor, but the integrity of the process. Many believed that a contrary result could have triggered chaos.

Central to this historic outcome was Professor Nnenna Otti, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). Facing offers of inducement and threats, she refused to compromise. “They came with money; I refused. They came with intimidation; I resisted. I fear only God,” she declared during her triumphant reception at FUTO.

While widely celebrated, the Obingwa Collation Officer and the local Electoral Officer also played crucial roles in preserving the election’s integrity, insisting on due process despite personal risk.

Nearly three years on, Governor Alex Otti’s performance continues to affirm the mandate he received. The 2023 election remains a watershed moment—a triumph of resilience over manipulation, of truth over falsehood, and of the people’s voice over forces that sought to silence it.

For Nigeria’s democracy to thrive, electoral officials of integrity like Professor Nnenna Otti are essential. Their courage and commitment to transparency set a standard for safeguarding public confidence in the electoral process.