Otti, after his affirmation as the governor of Abia State, said he never feared the law suits by PDP and APC
By Kehinde Okeowo
Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti has said he never feared he could lose his seat despite the law suits brought against him at the election tribunal by the two major opposition parties in the state.
He made this known via a statement he issued after the Abia State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, the state capital, dismissed the petitions brought against him by candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okey Ahaiwe
and All Progressives Congress (APC), Ikechi Emenike.
Otti’s statement which was signed by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, also saw him dedicate his victory to the people of Abia State while assuring them that it would spur him to serve them with greater zeal and passion.
He said: ”Even though we never entertained any atom of fear over the suit filed against us, going by the landslide victory we recorded at the polls, coupled with the sound submissions made by our team of erudite lawyers to defend our victory, I was, however, moved by the unprecedented show of love, support and solidarity from our people which is a manifestation of their appreciation of the modest achievements we have recorded so far, hence my resolve to serve them with greater zeal and passion”.
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The former bank MD also hailed the Judges for their sound judgement which, according to him, reflected what happened at the polls and what the majority of the people truly expected, maintaining that nothing enriches the legal jurisprudence and strengthens democracy more than dispensing justice to those who deserve it.
Otti later called on his opponents to accept the judgement with humility and equanimity and join hands with him to work for the development of the state.
The Abia State Governor further promised to work for the overall well-being of all Abia citizens, irrespective of political party differences.
TheNiche had earlier reported that the tribunal on Friday, upheld the Independent National Electoral Commission’s declaration of Otti as the duly elected governor of the state in the March 18 gubernatorial election.