The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Alex Otti, as winner of the 2023 gubernatorial election in Abia State. 

Otti was declared Abia governor-elect on Wednesday evening by the INEC Returning Officer for the March 18 gubernatorial election the State, Professor Nnenna Oti, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO).

According to the results, Alex Otti of the LP, polled 175, 467  votes to beat his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  Okey Ahiwe, who scored 88, 529 votes

Candidate of the Young Democratic Party (YPP), Enyinnaya Nwafor, came a distant third with 28, 972 votes 

INEC had on Monday suspended collation of the Abia governorship election results, after its officials were attacked in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state by thugs.

However, declaring the Obingwa results at exactly on Wednesday, Collation officer in the LGA, said the LP scored 3776 votes, the PDP scored, 9,962 votes.

While Otti win in 10 LGAs, the PDP won 6 and the candidate of the YPP,  Nwafor, clinched one LGA. 

The 10 council areas where the LP candidate won include: Abia North, Abia South, Arochukwu, Bende, Ikwuano, Isuikwuato, Ohafia, Umuahia North, Umuahia South and Umunneochi.

The PDP candidate, on his part, won in: Isiala-Ngwa South, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Ugwunagbo, Isiala-Ngwa North, and  Obingwa.

On his part, the YPP candidate, Nwafor, only won in Osisoma LGA, where he hails from.