Anambra State Governor-elect, Chief Willie Obiano, has promised to improve on the record set by incumbent Governor Peter Obi. “I wish to assure you that Nkem and I are ready and adequately prepared to expand the boundaries of our development and place Anambra State on the map of rapidly advancing states on all parameters of development,” he said this morning in his acceptance speech minutes after being declared Governor-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

As earlier reported by News Express, Obiano won 180,178 votes while Comrade Tony Nwoye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 97,700 votes to place second, with Senator Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC) coming third with 95,953 votes

In the speech delivered from his Aguleri home, Obiano paid glowing tributes to the people of the state, to Governor Peter Obi and to the National Chairman of his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sir Victor Umeh. He also extended a hand of fellowship to the 22 other candidates he defeated in the election. Below is his acceptance speech entitled “Sustaining our Steady March to Progress”, a copy of which was made available to News Express:

“Beloved Anambrarians, to the Glory of Almighty God and the kind support of my family, I stand before you tonight to accept this historical mandate given to me and Dr Nkem Okeke.

“Ndi Anambra, this is the moment we have been waiting for; the moment we have collectively worked for and hoped for. Tonight, the expressed will of the people have been finally enthroned.

Ndi be anyi, I stand here tonight in the shadow of history. You made history when on November 16 and today, you cast your votes in favour of APGA. In doing so, you have affirmed the life long struggle of our great father, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. You also upheld his view that our people should preserve our heritage through one united political roof. Ndi Anambra I want to thank you for honouring the memory of late Ikemba. Umu nnem, Dalu nu!

“In voting Dr. Nkem Okeke and I as Deputy Governor and Governor-elect, you have also expressed your wish that the tradition of excellence which my brother, His Excellency Governor Peter Obi, has entrenched in Anambra State these past 8 years should be sustained. I wish to assure you that Nkem and I are ready and adequately prepared to expand the boundaries of our development and place Anambra State on the map of rapidly advancing states on all parameters of development.

“Nkem and I are fully aware that after Governor Obi’s glorious reign, Anambra can only advance to higher glory. As inheritors of this tradition of purposeful leadership, we shall dedicate ourselves to a life of service. Our administration shall be responsible and responsive to your needs.

“Ndi Anambra, His Excellency, Governor Obi has shown us that our collective limitation is in us and not in our stars. Throughout history, societies that have crossed the threshold of development have always worked collectively as one. Development comes faster when there is a social contract between the leaders and the people. We need your goodwill and support to build on the great foundations we have inherited. And I hope we will get it. So, I call on all good people of Anambra state to join hands with us and sustain the progress we have made these past 8 years. “This is one call that we must all answer because our people have a saying that “Nkemjika.”

History has shown that no remarkable human advancement ever comes through without a price. As an industrious people, Anambrarians are naturally built for the tasking commitment that the long stride to greatness requires. Ndi Anambra, now is the time to reclaim our heritage of greatness! Now is the time to repossess our rightful place under God’s green earth as builders of the new civilization. My good people of Anambra State, as I urge you to gird your loins for the task ahead, I say so because I know that we can do it!

“Ladies and gentlemen, permit me also to fully acknowledge the ceaseless struggles and visionary leadership of the National Chairman of our great party, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh. Chief Umeh is a proof that under the right leadership, the famous Igbo spirit that once made our people great in the colonial period can rise again. His raw energy, charisma and amazing brilliance are the reason why we celebrate the result we have tonight. Thank you my honourable Chairman. Ohamadike!!!

“I also wish to thank our ebullient governor, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi for the vision and confidence in me and Nkem. Your Excellency, onye nwelu gi nwelu ife! Okwute!!!

“As we celebrate this victory tonight, I reach out my hand of fellowship to all my brothers who contested this election with me. I specifically urge my brothers Tony Nwoye, Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator Chris Ngige, Godwin Ezeemo and many others that I cannot easily mention now for lack of time, to join us in the march to make Anambra State a better place. Please always remember that the blood that binds us is thicker than the politics that separates us!

“I would like to specially express my profound gratitude to all my party men and women who worked tirelessly to achieve the victory we celebrate tonight. Ndi Anambra, this victory is for you all!”

•Photo shows Obiano Anambra Governor-elect, Chief Willie Obiano (2nd right) APGA National Chairman, Sir Victor Umeh (right) and Governor Peter Obi.