INEC commends Abia for defending democracy, as Otti lauds returning officer

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commended the people of Abia State for defending democracy during the March 18 governorship election, which produced Dr. Alex Otti as the state’s governor-elect.

Speaking in Umuahia when the governor-elect went to collect his Certificate of Return, INEC’s National Commissioner for Voter Education, Festus Okoye, said Abia has shown that Nigerians could stand and speak with one voice in defence of democracy and the institution of democracy.

Earlier, Otti had praised the Returning Officer (RO) for the election, Prof. Nnenna Oti, who is also the Vice Chancellor of, Federal University of Technology Owerri  (FUTO), for standing firm and refusing to be compromised to work against the will of the people.

Prof Oti had revealed that there was attempt to induce her financially and through intimidation by desperate politicians in the state to accept cooked-up figures from Obingwa Council to give one of the political parties unearned advantage.

Otti thanked Abia people for voting Labour Party, saying the joy and excitement that followed his declaration as governor-elect “put a huge responsibility on all of us.”

He added: “There’s no doubt in my mind that Abians have waited for an opportunity like this, and God, in his infinite wisdom, has decided that this year will bring a new song for Abia people.

“We, therefore, assure you that the trust you have bestowed on us will not be betrayed. You will not be disappointed.”

While thanking the outgoing governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, for his magnanimity in congratulating him on his electoral victory, he, however, called on the governor not to fall to the temptation of awarding last-minute contracts or setting up the people against the incoming government.

He said: “I’ll also like to use this opportunity to call on the outgoing governor 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 a lame duck period, so entering into fresh contract that may be reversed; doing things that will create an impression that booby traps are being created for the incoming administration will not make for peace and progress that he had indicated.”

The incoming governor advised those in possession of government properties to return them, vowing that he would not allow individuals to ‘privatise’ Abia resources to themselves, while the rest of the citizenry languishes in abject poverty and penury.

“Abia State belongs to all of us. Our resources cannot, and I repeat, we will not allow our resources to be privatised, while our people are suffering in abject penury and penury,” he warned.