Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti has said that the agitation for Biafra is not about the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, but about giving equal opportunity to Ndigbo in Nigeria.
Otti who spoke during the 70th birthday ceremony of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA), representing Abia South, urged the Nigeria State to stop excluding the Igbo but give the people a sense of belonging.
He said that if the Igbo cause as championed by Abaribe and others were addressed, the renewed agitation for Biafra restoration would not be gaining momentum.
He said: “Abaribe told me he was ready to go to jail for Nnamdi Kanu. But the Biafra fight is not about Nnamdi Kanu; there is Biafra of the mind.
“We want to be equal citizens, we want to be treated alike. What we want is equal opportunity not even a preferential treatment. Our people are enterprising. All we need is equal opportunity.”
Gov. Otti commended Abaribe for his outspokenness for the Igbo cause, and for his various contributions to the progress of Abia State and Nigeria in general.
He described Abaribe as “a courageous man unafraid to speak truth to power,” confessing that at a point, he (Otti) became afraid that Abaribe could be targeted for his outspokenness.
“Some people that said fewer things are no longer alive today but God has preserved him,” Gov. Otti noted.
The Governor explained that he decided to be celebrating deserving indigenes of the state as a mark of honour for elders irrespective of their party affiliations.
He said the decision had no political undertones contrary to the thinking in some quarters.
According to him, the gesture to is just a mark of respect for the elderly.
“This is not a political gathering. Politicians think of the next election but leaders think of the next generation.
“When I’m celebrating people worth celebrating, I’m only fulfilling the scripture that recommends honour for elders. I’m not interested in politics, after all, I have not told anybody I’m running for second term in office.”
The Governor said that apart from politicians, some other distinguished Abians had been selected for celebration by the state in recognition of their laudable contributions to the advancement of the state.
“Somebody said I want to join PDP. How? In the coming days we will be celebrating other distinguished Abians including Senator Chris Adighije of the APC, music icons Bright Chimezie and Paulson Kalu.
“What we are doing is devoid of politics. If you like be in Satan’s party but if you are worth celebrating, we will also celebrate you.”
Otti argued that Abians are one people irrespective of their political views, adding that “after politics, governance takes over,” hence at the moment, he is preoccupied with governance and uniting the state.
Speaking at the event, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, also commended Abaribe for his boldness in defense of justice, describing him as “a risk taker for his people.”
Akpabio said Senator Abaribe’s decision to sign Kanu’s bail bond was a pool of risk, expressing surprise that a sitting senator could undertake such a risk.
“When he signed bail bond for Nnamdi Kanu, people wondered why the risk but he said to me that he was ready to go to prison on his behalf,” Akpabio recalled.
The Senate President further described Abaribe as a courageous, fearless and committed leader, ready to stick out his neck for his people.
“Senator Abaribe is a Counselor, prophet and a lover of humanity; and has sacrificed a lot for the peace of Nigeria,” Akpabio declared.
Akpabio who attended the event in the company of his wife Unoma; said Abaribe has been his ally.
“My wife came with me because we’re celebrating a man of astute integrity. He has been there for his people. Abaribe is a role model whose word is his bond.
“He supported me to be Senate President, and he was among those who chose the committee he wanted to be in.”
Akpabio further said that Abaribe had so distinguished himself in service for his people, and no longer needed any political party to win election ‘becaise his services speak for him.”
“Abaribe will win election any time because his people are his party. He doesn’t need a political party.”
The Senate President commended Gov. Otti for honouring Abaribe with the birthday ceremony, declaring that “the Governor is investing wisely.”
“Gov. Otti is doing good politics for honouring Senator Abaribe this way. When the Governor will be going for his second term, he will know that this is money well spent. Abaribe’s grace will rob off on you.”
The Senate President who also praised Gov. Otti for his infrastructural strides in the state, used the opportunity to woo him for the APC.
“The day you will join the APC, you will see how I will celebrate you,” Akpabio said, embracing the Governor.
In a vote of thanks, Senator Abaribe, thanked all his guests for coming to celebrate him.
Serving and former National Assembly members and politicians as well as friends and associates of the Senator from across the country attended the ceremony.
