…Says no loser no winner, calls for unity to move Abia forward
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial district (PDP), Senator Austin Akobundu, has congratulated Dr Alex Otti on his victory at the Supreme Court over the March 18, 2023, governorship election in the state.
Akobundu in a statement he personally issued in Umuahia, tasked Otti on “facing the serious business of governance,” and delivering on his mandate.
The former National Organising Secretary of the PDP, also told Otti to take the judgment as “no victor, no vanquished.”
He urged the governor to carry everybody along as he pilots the affairs Abia State, pointing out that the state at this auspicious time deserves a push into a faster track of economic and infrastructural development.
Senator Akobundu further also congratulated the PDP candidate, Chief Okey Ahiwe and his running mate, Dr Jasper Uche, for their steadfastness in pursuing the course of justice from the tribunal to the apex court.
He said: “As a democrat and representative of the people at the apex legislative assembly, I wish to plead to both leaders to see the Supreme Court verdict as a way of solidifying the act of governance that will bring in infrastructure, peace and unity to Abia State.
“This is the time to work for the progress of the state; this is the day to build Abia, God’s Own State; this is period to bring all stakeholders together for the speedy development of the state. It is certainly not the time to segregate amongst political parties or bring in primordial sentiments because doing so will draw Abia backwards and create unnecessary tension that will engender underdevelopment.
“As the Senator representing Abia Central where the governor comes from, I hereby solemnly pledge to join hands with him in attracting the much needed dividends of democracy to the district. Against this backdrop, I, with the cooperation of my brother Senators and members of House of Representatives from our dear state, pledge to eschew petty politics in Abia State. Our focus will be on putting Abia first in the forefront in the comity of states.
“I congratulate both Gov Otti of the Labour Party (LP) and our gallant candidate, Chief Okey Ahiwe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the dogged electoral contest that started from the campaigns in 2023 without violence and ended with today’s verdict at the Supreme Court. This clearly shows that our democracy is thriving and growing so rapidly and buoyantly. I want that spirit, i.e. the spirit of No Victor and No Vanquished to continue. We remain one people irrespective of our political differences.
