Owerri – Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo and winner of Saturday’s governorship election has extended a hand of fellowship to his opponents for a better state.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service organised by his supporters in his honour at the Victory Chapel Church in the Government House, Owerri on Sunday, Okorocha expressed appreciation to God and to all who contributed to his success story in his four years as governor.
He thanked the people of Imo for their overwhelming support at the polls which according to him led to his victory.
He described his victory as a victory for the people irrespective of political affiliations.
Okorocha urged his opponents to accept the outcome of the election and to join him to make the state better.
He noted that all his campaign promises for the 2011 election had been fulfilled, promising to improve on his services to the state in the next four years.
The governor said he was not in governance to amass wealth but to serve God and humanity, explaining that within four years, he was able to tackle insecurity, kidnapping and armed robbery in the state and created an enabling environment for businesses.
“Four years ago, insecurity resulting from kidnapping and armed robbery, among others was the order of the day in Imo but today the situation has changed.
“In the next four years, my first focus remains education, second is industry and third is tourism.
“We will develop tourist sites to generate revenue for the state; to build industries that will create jobs for the Imo youths,” he said.
Okorocha said he is in the business of governance to leave a legacy and make a difference.
He described the president-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as a man of vision and called on Nigerians to support him.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Okorocha was declared winner and returned elected on Sunday by the INEC Returning Officer in Imo, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe.
Okorocha emerged winner after the collation of results of the re-run governorship election in 259 polling units in the state.
INEC had after the April 11 elections declared the Imo election inconclusive because of some cancellations in some wards in 23 local government areas of the state.
The result released by INEC in Owerri showed that Okorocha, the APC candidate, polled a total of 416,996 votes while his closest rival, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP polled 320,705 votes.
Meanwhile, it was celebration galore in Owerri and its environs as APC supporters trouped out to celebrate the victory of the party.
The celebration caused traffic snarls on major roads and streets in Owerri, especially around the Government House Roundabout by Okigwe Road.
There were also displays by tricycle riders while APC faithful carried brooms, the symbol of the party, as part of the celebration.
Gov Rochas Okorocha
