Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has expressed optimism that voters in the ongoing Local Government Elections across the 17 Council Areas of the state would respond to his call for competence and accountability by electing credible candidates with proven track records.
Governor Otti who was speaking to Newsmen after casting his vote, alongside his wife, Mrs Priscilia Otti, at Unit 017, Ahiafor, Umuru-Umuehim Nvosi in Isialangwa South LGA at about 12:19 p.m, highlighted the importance of making informed choices.
He reminded voters of the direct impact local government leadership has on their daily lives and warned of dire consequences of voting the wrong candidates.
“This is still Local Government election and what we’re talking about is people who will replace the Mayors.
“If you want to continue to enjoy dividends of democracy, if you want to continue to enjoy performance then, you need to vote the right people.
“We all know our people. We know ourselves so if you go and vote the wrong candidate, you should be ready to also deal with the outcome”, Gov Otti stressed.
Addressing the issue of political party dynamics, the Governor urged voters to prioritize capability over political party affiliations, and stressed that voters must support candidates who are credible and can deliver results.
“We have advocated that people should vote for candidates that are credible, that have competence, that can deliver,” he remarked.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing election would align with his call for competent leadership, noting that the electorate are becoming aware of the need to vote for capable candidates.
“I believe that this election would synchronize with the call i have been making because people have been also talking about it, that they are going to vote people who have capacity”.
He emphasized that the local government election in the state has remained peaceful, with voters coming out to exercise their franchise, adding that most areas have reported smooth and incident-free voting.
Governor Otti however acknowledged minor disruptions in Ohafia and Obingwa LGAs where attempts were made to disrupt the electoral process and disclosed that security operatives were mobilized to bring the situation under control.
Speaking after casting his vote at Unit 002, Amauha Ovuokwu Ward 9, the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) Chairmanship candidate for Isialangwa South LGA, Mr. Nwogwugwu Nnadozie, expressed appreciation to the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC), security agencies, and other stakeholders for ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections.
Mr. Nnadozie assured that, if elected, he would implement his five-point development agenda, which focuses on youth development, Women empowerment, Healthcare, infrastructural development, and Agriculture and described the ZLP as the fastest-growing political party in Abia State.
Also, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) Chairmanship candidate for Osisioma Ngwa LGA, Chief Chidi Agu, who spoke to newsmen after casting his vote at Unit 003, Ama-asa Ward 5, praised the electorate for turning out in large numbers to exercise their civic duties and described the voting process as a demonstration of democracy in action.
In their reactions, some voters, including Mr. Chukwudi Adindu, who voted at Unit 006, Amaoha Civic Hall, and Comrade Chintua Onyebuchi, who casted his vote at Unit 004, Ovuokwu Ward 9, described the election as peaceful, free, and fair, noting that the voter turnout was impressive.
