Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has inaugurated the 17 Local Government Area Chairmen and Deputies who emerged victories in the November 2nd Local Government elections held across the state.
15 Chairmen and their Deputies emerged from the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), while two came from the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Banquet Hall, Government House Umuahia, Governor Otti who titled his speech, “Development and a New Philosophy of Leadership”, congratulated the newly elected officials on their success at the polls.
He emphasized that the duty of the Chairmen and their Deputies was a call to service, collaboration, and grassroots development.
The Governor reminded the Mayors and their Deputies that they were in leadership to solve the problems of the people adding that”there can be no excuse for subpar performance”,
He noted that although they have emerged from different political platforms, their agenda is to put Abia first, as well as continue with his administrations socio-economic transformation across their various LGAs.
“You were elected on a set of definite promises and there can be no excuse for subpar performance. You will be 100% responsible for the development outputs in your different local governments going forward.
“The prudent thing to do is to gird your loins for the tough task ahead. Recall that I had mentioned that nobody succeeds in leadership by accident”, Gov Otti Said.
The Governor outlined priority areas for immediate action in the Local Government councils to include, access to water, basic health and education services, road maintenance, and swift responses to security challenges.
“As I had also said, your task is to solve the basic problems that have bedevilled our people in the various communities for ages.
“Our people should be able to see the impact of your leadership in the next six months through measurable improvements in the living conditions of the people, especially women, youths and the vulnerable in the various localities”, the Governor pointed out.
Governor Otti highlighted opportunities in agriculture and manufacturing, stressing the need for strategic development across the various LGAs to create employment and wealth for the people.
He warned against the tendency for newly elected leaders to become disconnected from their constituents and advocated for regular engagements with community members through town hall meetings and other forums which he noted is necessary for effective governance.
The Governor who commended the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) for conducting a free and fair electoral process, lauded political parties and their candidates for the spirit of sportsmanship and acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing mayors for their service to the people over the past one year.
He warned political opponents which efforts to derail his administration’s progress churning out fake narratives and expressed confidence that such efforts would fail.
“Let me leave a word for the so-called opposition who are gathering in Abuja and elsewhere with the sole intention to deceive people and distract this government.
“They have perfected a strategy to churn out fake and sometimes real documents for false narratives and propaganda.
“Just like the Bible assures, because these gatherings are not of God, they will scatter! Do not take Abia people for granted.
“You have done this before and failed. What makes you think you will succeed this time given all the transformation that has happened in this state in less than 18 months? A word is enough for the wise”, Governor Otti warned.
Responding on behalf his colleagues, the Chairman Isuikwato LGA, Mr Chinedu Ekeke, described their emergence as an honour and privilege and pledged to replicate the Governor’s developmental template at their various LGAs.
