Suleiman Anyalewechi, Aba
As majority of Abia residents continue to savour the victory of Labour Party’s Governor Alex Otti at the supreme court, the chairman of the Aba Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Barr. Innocent Egwu has called on all contestants, political actors and stakeholders in the Abia project to put politics behind them, and join hands in moving the state forward.
Newscritic.com.ng reports that the country’s apex court had in its ruling on Friday January 12, 2024 affirmed the electoral victory of Gov Otti.at the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial election, which had earlier been validated by an election petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia the state capital and an Appeal court in Lagos.
Justice Uwani Abba- Aji, who read the lead judgment while dismissing the appeals separately filed by the duo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Okey Ahiwe and High Chief Ikechi Emenike of the All Progressives Congress, APC, against the ruling of the tribunal and court of Appeal as lacking in merit, affirmed the LP candidate as the duly elected Governor of Abia state.
The Aba NBA chairman noted that with all parties having availed themselves of all legally and constitutionally available options in seeking redress, the interests of Abians and Abia residents should now take precedence over all other personal interests.
Barr. Egwu, who made the appeal during an interactive session with a section of the media in Aba on Friday January 12, 2024 said that what Abia needs most at this point are peace, law and order, growth and development, adding that these can only be achieved through concerted efforts of all , irrespective of political party affiliations.
“My position even before the supreme court ruling has been that whoever wins, Abians should be considered the ultimate winner.
Now that Gov Otti has been declared the winner, others should join hands with him to deliver to the people the dividends of democracy.
It is our collective responsibility to support the government of the day, so that it can serve the people creditably. Everybody should move on in the overall interests of the state, Barr Egwu stated.
While congratulating the Governor, the NBA chairman urged him to be magnanimous in victory, and ensure that everybody is carried along in the task of building the Abia of our dreams.
