EKO HOT BLOG reports that Abia State Governor-elect, Alex Otti, has received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Otti, who won the March 18 governorship election in Abia State, received his certificate of return on Wednesday at the Umuahia headquarters of the electoral commission.
Speaking after receiving the document which authenticates his position as the state’s incoming governor, Otti said God had given Abia people a new song, promising not to betray Abia voters’ confidence reposed in him.
Otti noted that he was aware of the huge expectations of the people and would not disappoint them.
He said: “Your expectations have put a huge responsibility on us. I won’t fail Abians who have waited for an 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 him and promised to support him to move the state forward.
Otti won the Abia governorship election on the platform of the Labour Party. In his address today, Otti urged other contestants to put the election behind them and also rally around him for the good of the state instead of engaging in litigation against “a clearly won election.”
Otti thanked the outgoing 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 said.
He also used the opportunity to commend the Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the 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 said she deserved commendation for standing on the side of truth. He said: ”With people like her, there is hope for Nigeria.”
The Labour Party candidate 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.
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