By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Abia State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Wednesday, June 19 ,2024, insisted that it was its relentless call for transparency and accountability in the conduct of Government business that led to the suspension of the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo from office.
The Abia State Government had, penultimate week, suspended Dr. Okoronkwo, citing the need for an unfettered inquest into some allegations of misconducts against her and her office as reason.
The PDP, Abia State Chapter, while reacting to her sack, not only claimed credit for the Government’s disciplinary action, but, also, called for an extension of the cleansing exercise to other ministries and Government Agencies.
But reacting to PDP’s claim, Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kalu, in a statement entitled “The PDP’s Web Of Deceit And Limits Of Propaganda” described its claims as a classic case of obtuse grandstanding, designed to mask its failures and corruption-ladden administrations in the state ,in last 24 years.
The Abia State Government’s spokesperson rather attributed the fate of the suspended Health Commissioner to Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to the enthronement of a regime of transparency in the State.
“His commitment to good governance, transparency and accountability, has raised the bar for leadership in the state.
“Governor Otti’s suspension of the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, therefore, demonstrates his administration’s zero-tolerance policy for misconducts by Government appointees.
“This bold action sends a clear message that Abia State will no longer be a haven for impunity by those in public office .
“Consequently, Ndi Abia have seen the difference between a Government that cares for its citizens and one that looted their commonwealth .
“Abians are witnesses to the transformative power of good governance in all ramifications and they will not be swayed by PDP’s empty claims and propaganda .
“Governor Alex Otti’s administration has brought a new dawn to Abia state ,marking a departure from the PDP’s destructive era. The PDP’s corruption and looting of Abia state’s resources are well documented .
“Billions of Naira meant for development projects were diverted into private pockets, while the State’s infrastructure and institutions were left to decay” Prince Kalu stated .
However, the PDP appears neither persuaded nor deterred by the Abia state Government position.
In a statement issued late Wednesday, June 19, by Abraham Amah, Vice Chairman/Acting Publicity Secretary captioned: “Governor Alex Otti And Camp Of Nazists” made available to The Source ,the Abia PDP insisted that it is aware that the Accountant General of the State ,the Commissioner for Finance and some members of the Governor’s media team are under serious scrutiny .
“The Abia PDP insists that it is its call for transparency and accountability in the conduct of Government business that led to the investigation of the Commissioner for Health .
“And we also make bold to say that we are aware that the Accountant General, Commissioner for Finance ,and some members of the Governor’s media team are under very serious probe and investigations.
“True to type, they copied from their boss who has never followed due process and transparency in the award of contracts and continues to live large at the expense of Abians .
“We call for closer examination in other quarters. At every turn, Governor Alex Otti’s administration has never stopped twisting the narrative to evade critical issues of governance .
“The point the PDP made was that the fire we constantly put under their feet exposed the grave allegations of massive corruption in the Health Ministry which led to the investigation and subsequent suspension of the Commissioner for Health.” PDP noted.
