Don’t lay traps for me, Otti tells Ikpeazu, as he receives CoR

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Abia State Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti, has commended the outgoing Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, for advising his opponents against dragging him before the courts.

Otti, however, also called on the Ikpeazu not to lay traps that would impede the smooth take off of his administration which will kick off on May 29.

The Governor-elect spoke in Umuahia on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, after being issued with his Certificate of Return (CoR), alongside his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Ogurube Layout state headquarters of the Commission.

“I also like to use this opportunity to call on the outgoing government to ensure that he does not do anything that will give an impression that there is going to be tension.

“This is what is called the lame duck period, so entering into a fresh contract that may be reversed, doing things that would create an impression that booby traps are created for the incoming government would not make for the peace and progress that he had indicated,” Otti said.

He was reacting to a congratulatory message from Ikpeazu in which the Governor pleaded with those who lost in the governorship poll won by Otti not to drag him to court to enable him focus on the business of governance and ensure peace in the state

While urging the Governor to ensure peace in the state and a seamless transition, theincoming Governor said:

“I also want  use this opportunity to thank the outgoing governor of the state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, for his letter of congratulations and for his magnanimity by advising that this is a clearly won contest that people should not distract us with unnecessary litigation.”

But while assuring that his administration would not be vindictive, Otti equally urged government officials who have looted government money or property to return them.

“While we have assured the outgoing Government that we are not vindictive people and we are not going to chase anybody, we want to use this opportunity to call on anyone who has government property in his care, or who has taken away funds belonging to the Government to return them immediately.

“Abia state belongs to all of us and our resources cannot, I repeat, we will not allow our resources to be privatized while our people are suffering in abject penury and poverty.”

He extended the Olive branch to all who contested the governorship position with him, urging them to join hands with him to build a new Abia State.

“I will like to use this opportunity to recognize various candidates who campaigned and stood for this election. Many of them have called in already to give their support and  congratulate us. Some of them have also indicated that they will not indulge in unnecessary litigation, let me thank them.

“While I accept that those who contested have the right to litigate, I call on them to join hands with us so that we can start the process of rebuilding Abia State,” Otti appealed.

The foremost banker of repute noted that the statewide wild jubilation that greeted his emergence, has placed enormous responsibility on his incoming administrion and assured that he would not disappoint the people.

“The jubilation that followed our victory, puts a huge responsibility on all of us and this responsibility is something we cannot take for granted. Abians have waited for an opportunity like this and God, in His infite wisdom, has decided that this 2023 will mark a new dawn for Abia people.

“We therefore want to assure you that the trust you have bethroted to us as party leaders, as governorship candidate and now, as Governor-elect will not be betrayed. We will not disappoint you,” he said, promising to set up his transio. Committee in a matter of days.

While commending INEC for doing “a wonderful work,” despite teething challenges, Otti praised the INEC State Returning Officer, Prof. Nnenna Otti, for her forthrightness. “She has shown that with people like her, there is a lot of hope for Nigeria,” he added.

Earlier, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman,Voter Education and Information Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye, who represented the National Chairman of INEC at the occasion, had, while handing over the Certificates of Return to Otti and Emetu, said that the exercise was in fulfillment of the constitution which empowers INEC to issue the CoR within 14 days after the result of an election has been declared.

Okoye noted that conducting a good, credible, verifiable, an election  that would meet both local, regionals and international standards was a multi-agency task that should not ne left to a single institution.

He explained that that all stakeholders have specific roles to play in the conduct of an election.and urged Nigerians to continue to grow and nurture democracy to ensure. its advancement.

The Administrative Secretary of INEC in Abia State, Bar Clement Oha, thanked Abians for standing by them during the conduct of the elections, not minding that the staff of the Commmission in the state were being blackmailed.