Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, on Sunday appealed to those he might have offended in the course of his eight-year tenure to forgive him.

Speaking at a victory thanksgiving service in Umuahia, Mr. Orji said he did not deliberately set out to hurt anyone but that he had to take difficult decisions in the interest of the state.

The service was organised for the state’s outgoing government to thank God for his numerous blessings to the state over the past years.

The Interdenominational worship, held at the new International Conference Centre, Umuahia, featured special prayers, songs and thanksgiving.

In his speech, Governor Orji thanked Abians for their massive support over the past years, which he said saw him through the governance of the state.

According to him, “being governor is not easy as a leader has to endure many things” and thanked God for seeing him through his tenure as governor.

He said for a state to make progress, its governor would have to make difficult decisions, which would not satisfy everyone.

He said those who felt offended by some of his actions should be gracious enough to forgive him.

He appealed to Abians to extend the same support they gave him to his successor, Okezie Ikpeazu and expressed optimism that he would do his best in office.

Earlier in his sermon, the Archbishop of Aba ecclesiastical province of the Anglican communion and Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Ikechi Nwosu, said Governor Orji would be remembered for his patience and the development he brought to the State.

According to him, apart from infrastructural development, Governor Orji brought peace, security, healthcare as well as partnered  well with churches in the State in addition to human capacity building, especially in the empowerment of youths.

He reminded Christians that whoever must serve God must pass through test.