Stakeholders from Abia North Senatorial District under the aegis of the Alliance for Good Governance have expressed support for the administration of Governor Alex Otti, saying the governance template established by the present administration should be sustained beyond 2031.
The stakeholders made the position known in a communique issued at the end of the second edition of their meeting, held at Ugwueke Civic center , in Bende Local Government Area of the State.
The meeting, hosted by Sir & Lady Johnson Chukwu, was attended by prominent stakeholders from across Abia North, including former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Ogah; renowned economist, Elder Urum Kalu Eke, former Director of Operations of the Department of State Services (DSS); Chief Ray Nkemdirim and other captains of industry, businessness men and political leaders.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the group’s spokesman and former Secretary to the Abia State Government, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, said in a communique that the meeting was held to build on the gains of the inaugural gathering hosted by Chief Ebueme Ezeikpe in Abiriba.
The stakeholders drawn from Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Umunneochi Local Government Areas. said it was their collective position that Abia had witnessed improved governance under governor Otti, describing the present administration as a manifestation of good governance.
Sir Johnson Chukwu
The group called for the sustenance of the government Otti’s governance model beyond 2031, urging future administrations to build on the foundation already established rather than reverse the progress recorded.
“Abia has never found it so good in terms of good governance and that this good governance must be sustained at all costs.
“It was unanimous that the present administration of Governor Alex Chioma-Oti represents that good governance.
“All the speakers were unanimous in wishing that beyond 2031 when he leaves office that the next generation of leaders of Abia state will continue to implement the template that this administration has enunciated and there will be no going back.
“On the contrary, we shall continue to improve and grow from strength to strength”, the communique stated.
The group also resolved to mobilise voters at the grassroots ahead of the 2027 elections, with emphasis on voter education and ensuring that eligible voters obtained and retained their Permanent Voter Cards.
The stakeholders said youths should be mobilised and educated against selling their votes, and urged them to participate actively in the electoral process.
“We agreed that the youths must be mobilized and advised not to succumb to any pressure or inducement from other parties.
“That they should not sell their votes. That if anybody gives them any money, let them collect. But at the right time, they should go and vote for Dr. Alex Chioma-Otti and by extension, all other people that are in his lineup”.
Chief Evueme Ezeikpe and Prof Mkpa Agu Mkpa
They further called on supporters to turn out on election day and defend their votes through lawful means to ensure that the results reflected the votes cast..
The stakeholders also commended the former minster for mines and Steels development, Dr Uche Ogah for what they described as the courage to publicly express his position in support of the Otti led administration.
They described the former minister’s participation in the meeting as significant, saying he had demonstrated “the courage of his conviction”.
The group, which described itself as non-partisan, said its members were elders of Abia North committed to ensuring that what they considered an opportunity for the state’s development was not lost.
The stakeholders further resolved to continue praying for Governor Otti and his administration, and urged the governor not to rest on his achievements but to continue pursuing new initiatives during the remaining of his tenure.
“We encourage him that in the next few months of this administration and into the next four years that he should continue to break new grounds because today he has made Abians proud”, the communique said.
Dr Chukwu Ogah
The group expressed the view that the state had experienced a change in public confidence under the present administration, adding that Abians could now speak with greater pride about their state.
In an interview with newsmen, former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Ogah, and renowned economist, Chief Urum Kalu Eke, said the stakeholders were mobilising their structures ahead of the forthcoming general elections and maintained that Abians would no longer allow mediocrity to occupy positions of trust.
Urum Kalu Eke
They commended Governor Otti’s administration for its strides in infrastructure, healthcare, education and governance, stressing that continuity was important to enable the administration consolidate its development plans.
Chief Evueme Ezeikpe and sir Johnson Chukwu
Also, the Convener of the Alliance for Good Governance, Chief Evueme Ezeikpe and the host, Sir Johnson Chukwu, said the alliance was a platform through which opinion leaders and people of influence could come together to shape the direction of governance in the state.
Sir Johnson Chukwu
They noted that the achievements of Governor Otti’s administration had, among other things, restored sanity to governance in Abia State.
