Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has told the incoming All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to brace up for “tough opposition” from the National Assembly members of the Peoples Democratic Party.Orji gave the warning on Thursday in Umuahia while fielding questions from journalists after receiving his Certificate of Return at the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “They gave us tough opposition, so we will also give them tough opposition now that we are in the opposition.”
He said that Abia should expect quality representation with the pedigree of the federal lawmakers-elect from the state.
All the 11 National Assembly members-elect from the state, comprising three senators and eight House of Assembly members, were issued Certificates of Return by INEC.
INEC National Commissioner, Chief Lawrence Nwuruku, who handed over the document to the successful candidates, advised them to be magnanimous in victory.
He said Abia had been in the news for bad reasons following political developments in the state. He advised politicians to play politics without bitterness.
He said, “Don’t be desperate for positions; power comes from God. What is the need killing somebody or messing up yourself with blood? Abia is very important to God and all of you should work together for the good of the state.”
Nwuruku also called on those who lost at the polls to close ranks with the winners, saying that “tomorrow may be your turn.”
The senators-elect are Governor Orji (Abia-Central), Chief Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia-North) and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia-South).
Responding on behalf of the federal lawmakers- elect, Senator Abaribe said the exercise had put paid to insinuations in some quarters that the National Assembly election in the state was cancelled.
He thanked the people of the state for giving them the opportunity to represent them and promised that they would not betray the confidence reposed in them.
Abaribe told losers at the poll not to bother going to court “because they would still lose out the way they lost at the poll.”
