Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia North Political Project Group, Wednesday, adopted the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Dr Alex Otti, as its consensus candidate.
The endorsement is coming barely four months after the group had adopted Bishop Sunday Onuoha as its consensus governorship candidate.
Addressing a press conference in Umuahia, the group cited lack of preparedness on the part of Onuoha as reason for the withdrawal of its earlier endorsement of his candidacy.
Director General of the group, Dr Uduma Nnate, who read from a prepared text, said Bishop Onuoha was not prepared for the election.
The text which was jointly signed by the Secretary, Samuel Okorie; and Women Leader, Eziada Julieth Silas; said it was tired of waiting for an unprepared candidate, hence its change of mind.
“Since October 24th, 2022 till date (about two weeks to the election), apart from pockets of endorsements from few organisations and groups, there is nothing on ground to show that Bishop Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha is preparing for Governorship Election.
“He has no campaign office, no campaign vehicles, no campaign posters, no campaign billboards, no campaign council/team in the state, local government areas, wards and polling units like others etc.”
The group also cited the confusion over the alleged suspension of Bishop Onuoha by a faction of African Democratic Congress, ADC.
“Election is a few days away. About a week ago, factional state Chairman of ADC, Don Norman and his Exco in a press conference, suspended Bishop Sunday Onuoha from the party citing anti- party activities and same lack of preparedness as basis for his suspension. The Exco even went ahead to appoint a new governorship candidate.”
It further read: “In view of the above, as a proactive and sagacious political think tank, the leadership of Abia North Political Projects Group, considers Bishop Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha as no longer capable, competent and sellable to be our Consensus Candidate.
“The group has therefore looked inward amongst the other candidates for a more capable, dependable and winning Candidate for Adoption as our new consensus Candidate.”
On the choice of Otti, the group said: “He is a dependable man of character, and most prepared to win the forthcoming governorship election in Abia.”
The group which insisted that power should return to Abia North in 2023, noted that 11 out of the governorship candidates are from Abia North, hence the need for the zone to produce a consensus flag bearer.
Responding, the Director General of Alex Otti Campaign Council, Hon. Acho Obioma, thanked the group for its wisdom to support the Labour Party candidate, whom he said, was God-sent to rescue Abia from under development.
He said that the ruling party should not be allowed to continue in power if Abia must survive.
Hon. Obioma said that the emergence of Otti as Abia Governor would end the misery of the state.
