From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
The Chairman-elect in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Hon Stephen Ebere Nwogba has assured stable security, bold agriculture and a critical infrastructural development in the area.
The Electoral Return Officer for Abakaliki Local Government Area, Dr Livinus Ezeuwa who declared Nwogba the winner of the election, said the PDP candidate polled 646 votes to become the second runner in the exercise.
In his acceptance speech, the Abakaliki Council Chairman-elect, Nwogba expressed joy over his victory, saying the support by his people during the election was overwhelming and the exercise went peacefully in the area.
He said there was tight security in the council area to ensure peaceful conduct of the election, appreciating his people for not giving chance to violence.
"You can see on their faces filled with smiles, we are under the rain and still people are here. They don't mind staying here till morning as long as they are waiting for this result.
"Now the result has been declared, as you can see my people are happy and because they are happy, I'm happier," he said.
Nwogba further said his victory in the election implied that he had signed a social contract with his council people.
He, however, promised to reciprocate the gesture by ensuring a stable security network, bold agricultural practices and motives, promoting educational activities, build rural roads and other infrastructures in the council area.
"For my people who gave me their mandate today, I just signed a social contract with them. Now, it's my turn to reciprocate this gesture done to me today.
"One is that to enjoy the dividends of democracy, you have to be alive. People have to be secured. I will do everything humanly possible to ensure the security of lives and property in the Abakaliki Local Government Area.
"Second, when you are alive, you have to have foods to eat. I will introduce what is called bold agriculture practices and motives.
"Third, we have to show concern for our children's needs. We have to go around our schools and know what they need for urgent intervention.
"We shall build rural access roads to ease movement and evacuation of agricultural produce in the hinterlands, we shall ensure there is wise execution of meaningful projects, that is, infrastructural wise."
He called for a collaborative effort by the stakeholders and members of the council area to make their people proud while in office.
While assuring an open door policy throughout his administration, Nwogba urged members of the opposition parties especially his opponents during the election to join him to form a formidable force to move the council area forward.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Area, Hon Emmanuel Nwangele described the election as a wonderful exercise, considering the massive turnout of the council people to choose their preferred candidates.
He urged the Chairman-elect, Nwogba to carry everybody along, making sure that the Abakaliki council area as the mother of all the local government areas keeps going with exemplary leadership under his watch.
The Special Assistant to the State Governor on Road Maintenance and the National President of Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum, Hon Ben Nwovu, while congratulating the Chairman-elect, also urged him to carry everybody along. "Even when you don't have money make sure that you smile with people," Nwovu advised.
One time Chairman of the Abakaliki LGA, Hon Matthew Nwobashi described the election as the best exercise ever had in the council area. He equally advised the Chairman-elect to embark on aggressive rural road development.
The APC Chairman of the Abakaliki LGA, Paulinus Attam and other stakeholders in the area described the chairman-elect as a man of the people and expressed confidence that his administration would bring a positive change in the council area.
