Abia governor, Ikpeazu congratulates Otti, rules out litigation
Abia Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has formally congratulated candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the Saturday, March 18 governorship election, Dr Alex Otti, on his emergence as governor-elect of the state.
Governor Ikpeazu, while hailing Otti for ‘his hard fought victory,’ also appealed to all other candidates who contested the governorship election ‘not to distract the incoming administration with court cases, so that they will settle down and deal with the very demanding business of governance.’
According to Ikpeazu, ‘Since we have come to the logical end of this battle, it is appropriate to congratulate the winner, Dr Alex Otti on his hard fought victory. In every battle, there will always be a winner and in the spirit of sportsmanship and love for our state, the Governor elect must see his victory as a higher call to service to the people of Abia State.’
A statement by the governor released barely hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Umuahia, had officially declared the Labour Party candidate, Otti as winner and governor-elect, was signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, Wednesday.
“Governor Ikpeazu noted that Dr. Otti has fought a long battle over a very long period of time and deserves commendation for his staying power and resilience.
“The Governor also salutes the other candidates who took part in the election, especially the PDP candidate, Sir Okey Ahiwe, for their doggedness. Dr Ikpeazu is of the considered opinion that the Governor-Elect should be given an enabling environment to run the affairs of state from May 29th, 2023 and hereby advises the candidates not to distract the incoming Governor with court cases.
“According to the Governor, ‘having myself spent about three and half years in different courts and having experienced first-hand, the distraction such cases can cause a leader, I appeal to every candidate in this election not to distract the incoming administration with court cases, so that they will settle down and deal with the very demanding business of governance. Let us break this negative trend of subjecting our Governors to endless litigations and allow them to concentrate on providing good governance.’
“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu assures the Governor-elect that he will put in place every necessary measure to ensure a seamless transition from his administration to his.
“The Governor thanks the people of Abia State for casting their votes in a very peaceful atmosphere and reminds them that peace remains very critical in the quest for sustainable development, charging them to accord the incoming Governor every necessary support that will enable him succeed.
“Governor Ikpeazu ends by wishing the incoming Governor, God’s blessings and guidance while assuring the people of Abia State that he will continue to discharge his duties as Governor until the 29th day of May, 2023 when he will hand over to the new Governor,” the statement read.
It would be recalled that Otti, of the Labour Party, trounced incumbent State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu’s former Chief of Staff, Okechukwu Ambrose Ahiwe, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), by over 86,902 votes.
INEC which had announced the results after four days of conclusion of voting in the governorship and state Assembly elections, said the LP candidate beat off the challenge of his PDP challenger by 86,902 votes.
With the victory, the Labour Party toppled PDP after 24 years in the driving seat at the Abia Government House in Umuahia, the state capital, and also in the majority at the State House of Assembly.
At the end of the 2023 General Elections, the Labour Party has now taken one senatorial seat, out of a possible three; five House of Representatives constituencies, out of a possible six; and now the governorship seat.
The Abia governorship election, in particular, had drawn much tension and anxiety across the country as residents and political stakeholders alike had expressed worry over the delay in announcing the results, especially on the back of evidence that the LP candidate, Otti was clearly in the lead with less than six local government areas remaining to be declared.
