Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
Abia State governor-elect, Mr. Alex Otti, yesterday received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Umuahia, exactly a week after he was declared winner of the March 18 governorship election.
Both Otti and his deputy Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu were presented with their certificates of return by the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Abia, Anambra and Benue, Mr. Festus Okoye at a ceremony in INEC office Umuahia.
The governor-elect expressed gratitude to the people of Abia for reposing their trust in him and his deputy with their mandate, vowing that Abians, “will not be disappointed for the trust reposed in us.”
“Abia has waited for an opportunity like this and God said that 2023 will mark a new song for Abia,” he said.
While commending the outgoing governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for advising against unnecessary litigations over the outcome of the 2023 governorship poll, Otti urged him to refrain from doing anything that could create tension during this “lame duck period”.
According to him, the transition period could be a tempting period for the outgoing Abia chief executive to start awarding contracts that could be later cancelled or making payments that would be reversed later.
However, he reassured the outgoing government that, “we are not vindictive people; we are not going to chase anybody (but) whoever has government property or collected government money illegally must return them”.
“We will not allow our resources to be privatised while our people are languishing in penury,” he warned.
Otti also had a word for the governorship candidates that lost to him, saying though they have the right to challenge his victory in court, the door was open for them to join him in building a new Abia.
Earlier in his remarks, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Abia, Anambra and Benue States explained that the presentation of the certificate of returns to the winner was in line with Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act.
Okoye commended the people of Abia “for believing in democracy, standing for democracy and protecting democracy,” adding that democracy was not a 100 metre sprint since it has to be nurtured to grow.
He reminded the Abia governor-elect that he and his deputy-elect would be carrying a heavy burden arising from the mandate given to them through the ballot box to pilot the affairs of the state.
“There is a huge expectation and we hope and pray he(Otti) will not disappoint the people,” Okoye said.
