Alex Otti, candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has been
declared the winner of the governorship poll in Abia state.
Otti was declared the winner on Wednesday by the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the resumption of the collation of
results.
This follows the conclusion of the collation of the
outstanding results from Obingwa LGA.
In total, Otti polled 175,467 to defeat Okey Ahiwe, his
closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored
88,529 votes.
On Monday, the electoral body suspended the collation of
results in Abia after thugs invaded its office in Obingwa LGA.
The assailants held the INEC officials hostage before they
were released, prompting the electoral commission to call for a review of the
process.
At the time collation was halted, Otti was reportedly in the
lead after garnering over 80,000 votes.
The victory is the first for the LP in the March 18
governorship election across the federation.
The party had won in all the five south-east states — Abia,
Enugu, Anambra, Imo, and Ebonyi — in the presidential election.
On Tuesday, Otti had called on INEC to declare the results
of the election to ease tension in the state.
“I have called on INEC to release the results forthwith so
Abia will be at peace. It is our firm belief that INEC will do the right thing
and ensure that only results that are based on the BVAS as provided in section
47 of the electoral act are acceptable,” he said while addressing a press
conference in Abuja.
“I believe that once
that is done, we will be announced as the winners of that election.
“They (INEC) actually asked for a review which is provided
for in the electoral act. INEC has about seven days even after the declaration
to review and make a change if there is a need to do so.”
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Congratulations Governor-elect of Abia State Alex Otti. I want you to know that you are governor-elect for Abia State, not for Labour party or Obidients. With this in your mind, hit the ground running. Let the people feel the impact of your administration. Let Abians know that there are lots to achieve for the good people of Abia. Give them good roads, affordable electricity and payment of arrears of salaries, that way your 100 days in office shall be a welcome package. God bless Alex Otti, God bless Abia State.
ReplyDeleteDr. Alex Otto, May God give you the wisdom to govern your people of Abia. Let God direct you in all decisions and endevours so that the new and glorious face of Abia State will emanate through you in Jesus name Amen. I wish you well sir.
ReplyDelete