Ikpeazu To Otti: See Your Victory As Call To Serve Abia People

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has congratulated the Labour Party Candidate in the 2023 Gubernatorial Election in the State, Dr Alex Otti, on his emergence as Governor-elect.

This was revealed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Ikpeazu, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka.

Governor Ikpeazu noted that Dr Otti has fought a long battle for the number one seat of the state and deserves commendation for his determination and resilience.

Otti was declared winner of the governorship election after final collation of results on Wednesday evening.

He polled 175, 467 votes to defeat his closest rival, Chief Okey Ahiwe, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 88,529 votes.

The incumbent governor urged the governor-elect to see his victory at the polls as a call to service of Abia people.

Ememanka quoted the Governor as saying: “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.”

The Governor also hailed other candidates who took part in the election, especially the PDP candidate, Sir Okey Ahiwe, for their doggedness.

Dr Ikpeazu stressed that the Governor-elect should be given an enabling environment to run the affairs of state from 29th May 2023 when he would be sworn in, and advised the other 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”.

Ikpeazu assured the Governor-lect that he will put in place every necessary measure to ensure a seamless transition.

The Governor thanked the people of Abia State for casting their votes in a very peaceful atmosphere and reminded 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 assured 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 officially handover to the new Governor.