Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The ruling Labour Party in Abia State, Tuesday inaugurated its new Acting Chairman following the elevation of its former Chairman, Ceeckay Igara as the Vice Chairman South-East.
The new Acting Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Nweze Otti who was sworn in by Gov. Alex Otti, will hold the position until the party’s Congress scheduled for mid-next year.
Speaking at the Inauguration held at the Labour Party Secretariat, Umuahia, Governor Alex Otti explained that the leadership transition followed the elevation of the Former State Chairman to the position of National Vice Chairman, South-East.
Governor Otti while acknowledging the constitutional process of the party which led to Hon. Emmanuel Nweze Otti’s selection, congratulated him on his emergence as the New Acting State Chairman.
He charged the newly inaugurated State Chairman of the party to “do good to all men without discrimination” and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the party with integrity and fairness.
“Going by the Constitution of the party, I was told that they’ve all met, and selected Hon. Emmanuel Nweze Otti as the acting State Chairman and Prince G.O. Ndubueze to replace him as the Deputy Chairman South of the party until Congresses happen next year.”
“I want to use this opportunity to congratulate you and charge you to do good to all men without discrimination, without let or hindrance.”
“It is a great position of responsibility and I have no doubt that as a Knight of the Church, you will be fair to everyone that comes across you,” Governor Otti said.
Governor Otti commended the members of the Labour Party for their unwavering dedication since they joined the party in 2022 and lauded their efforts in dismantling the previous leadership of the PDP in the State.
The Governor noted that despite being in power for just 14 months, his administration has made modest efforts in delivering democratic dividends to the people and assured citizens that greater developments are on the horizon.
“At every forum that I find myself, I always extend my thanks and appreciation for the job all of you did actively to dismantle the leadership of PDP in this state and install the leadership of the people.”
“The Bible records that when the righteous is in power, the people rejoice,” Governor Otti cited.
“It beats repeating that this is just 14 months that this administration came into power.”
“The modest efforts that we have put in, have been appreciated by the people. And because the people have appreciated the little that we are doing, I want to assure you that what you will see in the next one year, would not have been seen in this State before.”
“Like I said in the past, what we are doing is just dress rehearsal. now we are putting our feet on the pedal and we promise that we will even do much better,” Governor Otti declared.
Governor Otti who described opposition criticisms as an inevitable part of democracy, urged party members not to be distracted by the antics of the opposition and reaffirmed the Labour Party’s commitment to good leadership.
He expressed confidence in the Labour Party’s ability to secure victory as the state gears up for the Local Government elections.
“We are not going to be distracted. I want to also remind us that we should not rest on our oars. We should continue to do that which we are known for; We are Labour Party.”
“Sometimes some people want to tempt us in some dark parts to give an impression that we are not different from those we replaced. That would be in their own imagination because 95% of the people know that leadership in Abia State has been redefined.”
“The interesting thing about leadership is once the people had tasted good leadership, they would never want to go back to Egypt,” Otti declared.
He called for continued vigilance and dedication from party members and encouraged them to sustain their support for the Labour Party, as his administration strives to deliver democratic dividends to the people.
In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated acting Chairman, Hon. Sir Emmanuel Otti, pledged to carry everyone along in the journey of leadership.
He called for the support of party members in order to lead better, and also reminded that the local government elections will be coming up in no distant time, stressing the need for full participation in all party activities.
Hon. Otti, thanked the Governor and appreciated members of the party and her supporters, stakeholders and all who intend to join the party in the race of repositioning Abia State.
“Labour party has distinguished itself as a model political group to belong across the 36 states of the federation.”
He announced that the leadership of the party in Abia, under the guidance of Governor Alex Otti has exemplified and brought to reality, the yearnings of every Nigerian especially people in Abia to have a leader that leads from the front.
