Governor Francis Nwifuru and Chief Ifeanyi Odii of Ebonyi PDP.
The 2023 governorship candidate of the People's Democratic Party, PDP in Ebonyi, Mr Ifeanyi Odii has officially accepted defeat following the Supreme Court verdict yesterday on the victory of Mr Francis Nwifuru as the governor of the State in the last gubernatorial poll.
Odii who stated this in a press release, which he made available to journalists in Abakaliki, congratulated Nwifuru and urged him to remain focused on his mandate in changing the ugly narratives of Ebonyi people in their state.
He commended the efforts of his supporters especially his Deputy, Paulinus Igwe Nwagu during the last election and urged them to be peaceful and supportive of the Nwifuru-led administration.
His words: "My Fellow Ebonyians and especially patriotic members of the Anyi Ga Eme ya Campaign team of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and our teeming supporters, I am humbled by your support and steadfastness in the struggle we championed to liberate our dear state.
"I have been awed by the massive genuine love and support my running mate, Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu and I enjoyed throughout this tedious and harrowing electioneering process; the show of love, the risks taken and especially the organic belief in our ability by millions of Ebonyians is something we shall cherish and respect at all times.
"We thank our party members, our Anyi Ga’Eme ya campaign management teams at all levels, our women, our youth, our elders and our family members for their selfless support throughout this process.
"As we all know already, the elections are over now and our further quest through the Nigeria judicial system to remedy the diversion of our mandate has also been exhausted at the Supreme Court.
We have fought gallantly throughout this process because of the support we enjoyed from you all, and we shall never take it for granted.
"Let me use this opportunity to congratulate my brother and fellow compatriot, His Excellency, Governor Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru on his victory at the Supreme Court. I urge him to now focus on changing the narrative in our dear state through good governance rooted in the rule of law.
"We call on our dear supporters to remain peaceful and steadfast in their belief in a prosperous Ebonyi State.
Let me assure our party members and Anyi Ga Eme ya team that my quest and commitment to a prosperous and economically viable Ebonyi State remains intact.
"As an individual as well as a team, Ebonyi State remains our primary constituency and its growth remains paramount in our mind, consequently we will not be far from our people and will always be ready to lead the charge.
We shall stay committed to things that bring us progress, peace and prosperity; we know that tomorrow beckons still."
