Less than 24 hours after he was declared Governor Elect of Abia by the Court of Appeal sitting in neighbouring Imo State, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chieftain, Dr. Alex Otti OFR, has addressed Ndi Abia, thanking them for their support and outlining the agenda which he intends to implement when he takes over power from Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD, whose election was nullified by the appellate court.

Ikpeazu is proceeding to the Supreme Court but Otti, exuding confidence of triumphing at the apex court, is already speaking of how he would run Abia. His address, contained in a statement entitled JUSTICE AT LAST, made available to News Express this morning, goes thus:

“My Fellow Good Citizens of Abia State

“I am sure that many of you have heard the good news from the Appeal Tribunal that we have finally recovered the mandate of the people, which was brazenly and shamelessly stolen from you a few months ago. This is one good news that travels fast as in the past few hours, I have been inundated with calls, text messages and personal visits from many of you. All well meaning people are rejoicing and there is joy in the land. Praise be to God!

“It is said that the windmill of justice may grind slowly but it surely does grind. After more than seven months of tortuous and needless legal tussle, the will of the people has triumphed!

“Today’s ruling is the triumph of the abiding will of the people against the principalities of thuggery, barefaced robbery and high handed impunity. It is victory of the silent majority over a noisy, unjust and parochial minority. My fellow Abians, it is your victory!

“All through this period, my faith in the nation’s justice system never wavered and I am glad that today’s judgment has justified our steadfast belief in the efficacy of the system. In the face of clear injustice, you kept faith in the system and refrained from self help, even in the face of extreme provocation, denial and injustice. I salute your high sense of civic responsibility.

“For all well-meaning citizens of Abia and lovers of progress across Nigeria, the New Year has come a day earlier. On this great day of liberation of the good people of Abia from the bonds of mediocrity and self-centred oligarchy, let us savour the moment that restores our trust in our nation’s judiciary and our undying faith in our heavenly father, whose hand has been guiding this struggle for the return of our beloved state to greatness. You must recall that Abia, until the emergence of incompetent and insensitive “lootocracy”, was the commercial powerhouse of West Africa. It was an industrial centre where multinationals and indigenous entrepreneurs held sway. It was the area that produced such greats men as Michael Okpara, Alvan Ikoku, Dick Tiger, Jaja Wachuku, Nnanna Kalu, OC Ememe and so on. Today, it is a shadow of its former self. Our mission is to restore our beloved state to greatness.

“From inception, our guiding philosophy in leading this liberation struggle has been, ’Abia First’! I sincerely believe that it is Abia first, before any sectional, narrow or personal interest. This philosophy will continue to guide all our decisions and actions as we commence this new journey together. For all of us who believe that it is Abia First, I welcome you to come with us to make our state great again. To our opponents including those responsible for what we have gone through in the last couple of months, we extend a hand of fellowship to them as we invite them to join hands with us as we seek to provide credible leadership to our people and restore their dignity.

“The journey will not be an easy one but I assure you that the result will be fulfilling.

“I shall address you soon in greater detail on our way forward and the challenges we envisage along the way. Meanwhile, please savour the good news and have a very happy new year ahead.

“Long live Abia State; long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“God bless you all.”

•Photo shows Governor Elect, Dr. Alex Otti OFR

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