“Never Will Abia Return To The Era Of  Irresponsibility, Profiteering”, Otti Declares As He Flags Off Re-election Campaign

The capital city of Umuahia in Abia State was brought to a standstill Saturday as Governor Alex Otti formally flagged off his re-election campaign in a grand ceremony. The event, which held at the Umuahia Township Stadium, attracted thousands of Labour Party supporters from the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, who thronged the venue with various dance troupes, support groups and organisations, turning the campaign flag-off into a carnival of sorts.

Speaking at the event, Governor Otti declared that after several years of man-made hardship and punishment inflicted on the people of Abia, and his repeated attempts to rescue the state in 2015 and 2019, the siege on Abia was eventually broken in 2023. “We ended the era of political profiteers. We defied intimidation to liberate Abia and break Abia from the era of siege. Never shall we go back to the era of irresponsibility. Nothing will make us go back to Egypt,” he declared.

Recalling the ordeals endured by Abians in their quest to liberate the state from the shackles of bad leadership, particularly the experiences of those whose properties were demolished on account of their political affiliations, Governor Otti declared: “Never again will anyone’s fence be pulled down on account of political choices. I declare Abia free.”

The Governor pledged to sustain the gains of the 2023 liberation through the establishment of enduring institutional safeguards that would protect the reforms of his administration and ensure that the state does not relapse into its past. “The only battle worth fighting is the one geared towards leaving Abia better than I met it, and I enjoin you to join me as we continue to fight that fight. I appeal to you to join me in fighting that battle in the next four years in order to consolidate on our records of performance.

“We need the next four years to institutionalise transparency in Abia and ensure that the last vestiges of mediocrity in the state are totally eradicated. Our manifesto for the coming general elections is ‘The New Abia: From Rescue to Consolidation’, and contained therein are the step-by-step plans on how we hope to consolidate on the successes of the past three and a half years.”

Highlighting the achievements of his administration over the past three and a half years, Governor Otti disclosed that his government had completed about 400 road projects covering more than 1,000 kilometres across the state.

“From Port Harcourt Road in Aba to Oboha Road, Ohanku Road and Arochukwu Road, we have constructed roads that were hitherto considered impossible to fix. We have transformed primary healthcare in the state. In the area of education, we have employed over 9,000 teachers and built smart schools in almost all the enclaves in Abia State.

“We have invested billions of naira in revitalising tertiary education through investments in Abia State University, Uturu, and Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba. We have also invested heavily in reviving ailing industries in Aba and supported the growth of SMEs across the state. Agriculture has not been left out, as we have made significant investments to ensure food sufficiency in the state.

“Above all, I have restored the dignity of Abians. Abians are now proud to participate in development conversations in circles where such conversations are held. We, therefore, urge you to vote for the Labour Party all the way in all elective positions in the coming general elections,” he stated.

In a demonstration of political tolerance, particularly at a time when concerns have been raised about the shrinking of political spaces in some states through restrictive laws and policies, Gov. Otti extended his best wishes to candidates of other political parties, acknowledging that the plurality of choices remains one of the defining attributes of democracy.

He accordingly directed all state functionaries to make public facilities available to any political party or candidate seeking to use them for campaign activities, provided the requisite fees are paid and the applicable regulations are duly observed.

The Governor also urged his supporters to conduct their campaigns around issues, policies and the records of performance, while firmly cautioning against political brigandage and other forms of electoral misconduct.