My victory is brotherhood over divisive forces in C’River, Governor-elect declares
Senator Bassey Otu of All Progressives Congress (APC) from Cross River State has bemoaned Federal Government’s exclusive lists.
Governor-elect of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, has said his victory at the governorship election in the state represents brotherhood over divisive dark forces.
In his acceptance speech late Monday night, Otu said: “The victory we celebrate today is not a winner takes-all; it is not the victory of one political interest over another or the victory of one cultural zone over others, but the victory of our brotherhood over the dark forces that seek to polarise us into camps. It is the victory of our humanity over poisonous rhetoric.
“Once again, we have demonstrated that the ties that bind us are stronger than the artificial gulfs they tried to create between us for selfish purposes.
“In developing countries, experience has shown that the struggle for power is not often a contest of ideas but a battle between right and wrong and justice and injustice.”
He said the mandate given to him “is the people’s mandate. It is a reaffirmation that as a people, we have a keen sense of justice. And when the chips are down, we sacrifice our differences to reaffirm our sense of justice. | am touched by this act and | will not let you down. | will work night and day to justify the confidence you have reposed in me.”
Otu extended olive branch to those, who lost to him saying: “There are no winners and losers, no victor and no vanquished. What we have is the victory of democracy. So, | extend a hand of fellowship to my brothers who ran for this position against me from other political parties. I urge you all to join hands with me, let us build a new Cross River State. This state belongs to only one party and that is the people of Cross River State. We share the same obligation to work for its welfare and progress.
“My team and I will settle down quickly to build bridges and mend broken fences to ensure that the bitterness that erupted during the campaigns are washed away by our collective tears of victory. We shall roll-up our sleeves to ensure that everyone is given a sense of belonging in the coming dispensation and that together we shall force down the rainfall of greatness on our beloved state.”
He pledged to run a compassionate administration, a listening government, in which all shades of ideas shall be given a fair hearing and chance at success.
