Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has expressed gratitude to God and Abians for his triumph at the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
The tribunal upheld his victory in the 2023 governorship election on Friday, dismissing the petitions filed by his rivals.
The PUNCH reported that Otti, who spoke to reporters at his Nvosi Country home in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, said he was happy that the wishes of the people have been respected.
He said, “My advice to my opponents is that this is a good time to sheath their sword and join hands with me to develop our state, Abia.
“Anyhow you slice and dice it, it costs a lot of money to engage in litigation. While I will not ask them to bring the money to me I would advise that each of them have villages that are dilapidating, without roads, without water and I believe that their communities will appreciate it if they would channel those resources into building roads in their villages and communities.”
Otti added that the resources can be used in providing pipe-borne water and ensuring that this state remains peaceful for the benefit of its inhabitants, asserting that his victory shouldn’t have been contested in the first place and expressing joy that the wishes of the people have come to fruition.
“If you follow the election and everything that happened thereafter, you will know that quite frankly, this victory shouldn’t have been contested in the first place, but then, I also do not deny my opponents their rights to go to court,” he added.
The governor described the victory as a reflection of the sacrifice made by Abians in the 2023 governorship election and thanked God for the victory while pledging to continue to serve Abians diligently.
