…Pass vote of confidence on Otti
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Stakeholders and leaders of thought in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State have warned former governors of the state that any attempt to return Abia to political servitude would fail.
The stakeholders also passed a vote of confidence on Governor Alex Otti, declaring that he “has brought light to Abia.”
Reacting to what they described as threats by some former governors to truncate Governor Otti’s re-election bid, the stakeholders vowed to resist any attempt to subvert the will of the people in 2027.
The stakeholders, drawn from the four clans that make up Ikwuano LGA, spoke during a meeting held at the council headquarters on Wednesday.
According to them, “nothing will make Abia go back to Egypt or political bondage again.”
They disowned the former governors for allegedly ganging up against the incumbent, whom they described as God-sent to rescue the state.
The stakeholders accused the former governors of acting out of envy and selfish interests, reminding them that the era of imposition and political godfatherism was long over in Abia.
Vowing to mobilise massive support for Otti’s re-election in 2027 based on what they described as his outstanding performance, they urged the governor not to be distracted by the antics of his detractors.
They thanked him for his numerous interventions in Ikwuano, noting that the local government area had benefited significantly from the governor’s transformational agenda.
The stakeholders particularly commended Otti for erosion control efforts and road projects in the agrarian council, which they said had positively impacted the lives of residents.
“Otti is a blessing to Abia. He built the Okporoenyi–Ikwuano Road; for the first time, we saw a tarred road in Oloko; he is constructing the Ariam–Usaka Ring Road. Ikwuano is now accessible,” they said.
Speaking, the Mayor of Ikwuano LGA, Dr Anthony Nwubani, expressed shock that “the same people” he accused of masterminding the stagnation of Abia during its dark days “now have the temerity to gang up against the man who came on a rescue mission.”
Nwubani said Abia was “in a terrible mess” before Otti assumed office, arguing that the governor deserved commendation rather than “needless attacks by those responsible for the mess.”
According to him, the former governors lacked the moral standing to criticise Otti, having missed their opportunity to transform the state.
“Abia was among the states in total darkness before Otti came to power, but today we have seen light. Those ganging up against the light are the same people who plunged us into darkness.
“Opposition is an ingredient of the political system, but it must be based on facts, not lies.
“It is incorrect to say Governor Otti is merely painting roads. Ikwuano people are angry with anyone peddling such narratives. It is a slap in the face of Abians whose lives have been positively impacted by this administration.
“The former governors should know that Abia cannot go back to Egypt. We have seen light and cannot return to darkness,” Nwubani said.
Speaking on behalf of Ariam Clan, Dr Adolphus Okebugwu said Abia, under Otti, had “for the first time witnessed true leadership.”
He accused the former governors of ganging up against Otti out of envy, arguing that the governor’s achievements in less than three years had surpassed those of his predecessors in 24 years.
“Otti is a seasoned banker who does not believe in sharing public funds. No amount of intimidation will derail his transformational agenda in Abia,” he said.
Similarly, Dr Friday Eluwa, speaking for Oboro Clan, said Abians would not sit back and watch those who stagnated the state truncate the ongoing transformation.
He said no amount of blackmail would dissuade the people from giving Otti massive support in 2027, based on his scorecard.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, an Aba-based international businessman, who said he relocated from Lagos due to Otti’s genuine commitment to rebuilding Abia, challenged the former governors to present their scorecards.
According to him, any gang-up against Otti amounts to swimming against the tide, adding that even those who did not support the governor in 2023 would vote for him in 2027 because of his performance.
He assured Otti of the firm support of the youths, declaring that the era of election manipulation was over.
Elogu echoed Governor Otti’s remark that “anyone thinking of rigging elections in Abia in 2027 should first write his will.”
Speaking for the women, Pastor Mrs Mercy Alamba warned that those ganging up to stop good governance in Abia were courting the wrath of Abia women.
Describing Otti as “God-sent” for the liberation of Abia, she warned that any attempt to derail the state’s progress “will not fly.”
“We can now proudly say we are from Abia. It wasn’t so before. God saw our suffering and bondage and sent us Otti.
“He has our prayers. He has renovated health centres so women will stop dying during pregnancy. He is building our markets. We now access interest-free loans. We are no longer jumping gullies to reach Ikwuano,” she said.
Other speakers, including High Chief Christopher Elogu (Ariam-Usaka Clan), Dr Okezie Chukwuemeka (Ibere Clan), and Emmanuel Emetu (Oloko Clan), praised Otti’s visionary leadership.
The Secretary of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Iroabueke Chukwuemeka, who spoke for council workers, said Otti had ended workers’ misery through regular salary payments and the introduction of a 13th-month bonus.
He disclosed that council workers across the state had begun mobilising support for Otti’s re-election, saying the governor had given them a sense of belonging.
Moving the motion for the vote of confidence, the Deputy Mayor, Hon. Lucky Awuwa, said Otti had dwarfed the combined achievements of his predecessors.
He added that statements credited to the former governors did not reflect the wishes of the people of Ikwuano.
Awuwa urged stakeholders to mobilise eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the deadline.
