Abia State governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti, today received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, assuring Abians that he would not disappoint them.
Otti who admitted that huge expectations are on him, said that ”God had given Abia a new song”, and promised not to betray the confidence reposed in him by Abia voters.
”Your expectations have put a huge responsibility on us. I won’t fail Abians who have waited for opportunity like this for a new dawn.
”You will not be disappointed. I won’t betray the confidence you have in me “, Otti assured.
Otti commended his fellow contestants who had already called to congratulate and promised to support him to move the state forward.
The Labour Party candidate urged other contestants to put the election behind them and also rally round him for the good of the state instead of engaging in litigation against “a clearly won election”.
Otti thanked the out-going Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu for also congratulating him, and for advising other contestants again unnecessary litigation.
He, however, called on Ikpeazu not to create unnecessary tension in the state by awarding fresh contracts as doing so may not be in good taste.
The Governor -elect who said he would not be vindictive, again, asked anyone with looted funds belonging to Abia to immediately and voluntarily return same as he would not have time to be chasing anybody around.
”I call on those who have looted Abia funds to return it immediately. We can’t allow our resources to be converted to a private estate while Abians are wallowing in abject poverty.”
Otti used the opportunity to commended the Returning Officer, and Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri, FUTO, Professor Nnenna Otti, for being upright and refusing to be compromised.
He denied any affinity or blood link with her contrary to allegations by the ruling party, explaining that the Returning Officer hails from Ebonyi State, and is not by any means related to him.
Otti also commended INEC for conducting a credible poll in Abia, although he noted that Labour Party Leader and Collation agent in Obingwa attacked by thugs is still hospitalised.
Some of the dignitaries sighted at the glamorous event included former PDP Chairman in the state and governorship aspirant, Senator Emma Nwaka; Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the state, Apostle Emmanuel Agonmuo; State Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC who doubles as LP Chairman, Ceekay Igara; Otti’s Campaign Council Director General, Hon. Acho Obioma; among LP Leaders and supporters.
