Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has formally received about 70 prominent political bigwigs from various Parties, along with their supporters, into the Labour Party in Ukwa West Local Government Area.
Among the new entrants are the 2023 APGA House of Representatives candidate for Ukwa, Adinigwe Ugochukwu Nwoke; former Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ngozi Ulunwa, former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Ralph Egbu; Uche Nwaele and Ugoeze Young Ogbonna, among others.
In his address at the reception ceremony held at Obehe Central School on Friday, Governor Otti while welcoming the new members of the Labour Party urged them to remain steadfast in their political journey.
The Governor called on those who are yet to join the Labour Party Train to do so without delay.
“I truly welcome our new joiners and their followers. If there are a few more people that are still doubting, please let them know that they need to board the train before it leaves the station”, he said.
Responding to some concerns raised by the Mayor of Ukwa West, on the state of the Mini Stadium at Okeikpe, the Governor disclosed that the facility, currently overgrown by weeds, would be rehabilitated by his administration.
“I have just given him approval to go back and resurvey the mini stadium. After that, demarcate it with a proper fence. Thereafter, the mini stadium will be built by the state government”, Governor Otti announced.
On the lingering disagreement between host communities and the Inner Galaxy Steel Company Limited over the location of a Skills Acquisition Centre, the Governor stressed the need for compromise to ensure progress and timely completion.
“It is not for the host community to dictate to the corporate body where it will locate. Anywhere that it wants to donate, let it be.
“I therefore call on the host communities to let the skills acquisition centre be built, I believe, at Obehe, where the company wants to build it. I understand it is a more accessible location and it is going to be available for everybody to use.
“I do not want to hear any problem again. Please, get it done. And I would like to come and commission it as quickly as possible”, he stated.
Governor Otti who highlighted his administration’s commitment to delivering dividends of democracy to Abians, said that the essence of governance was in delivering projects that touch the lives of the majority.
“The major contribution this government has set out to make is to restore the dignity of the Abia person. When you see us building Roads, Schools, Primary Healthcare Centers, General Hospitals and Medical Facilities, it is all geared towards the restoration of the dignity of the man or woman that comes from Abia”, he explained.
Governor Otti who urged the people to avoid selfish political struggles over appointments, assured that the dividends of democracy would reach all Abians irrespective of political affiliation.
“So you can count on me that we are very fair-minded and very transparent in the way we do our things. Anything that is due you, we will give you.
“Even things that are not due you, we will give you. So when people are surprised that the dividends of democracy are being distributed to those that voted and those that did not vote, elections have since been over. And the reality is that if you didn’t vote yesterday, you will vote tomorrow”,the Governor said.
The General Manager of ASOPADEC, Venerable Joshua Onyeike, in his remarks, recalled that for over 24 years under the leadership of other parties, theUkwa region suffered total neglect and decay.
Ven. Onyike stressed that with the Otti led administration, life is gradually returning to Ukwa and urged political leaders to align with the Governor and the Labour Party in view of the positive changes taking place in the area.
He observed that it is now evident the Labour Party genuinely has the interest of the Ukwa people at heart, pointing out that the Governor has already begun to transform the State.
In their separate remarks, since nw entrants into the Labour Party, including the APGA House of Representatives candidate for Ukwa in the 2023 elections, Adinigwe Ugochukwu Nwoke, former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Ralph Egbu, and Pastor Chimezie Nwarie, among others pledged their commitment to work for the re-election of Governor Otti.
They observed that although the Governor did not win in Ukwa West during the 2023 elections, his acceptance has now widened, assuring that with their defection to the Labour Party, the Governor has become the consensus candidate in the area and would face no opposition in 2027.
Earlier, the Acting State Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr.Emmanuel Nweze Otti, said the Governor has remained committed to his manifesto of rapidly transforming the State, a development that has attracted even members of the opposition to join the Labour Party.
He added that those joining are doing so in recognition of the Governor’s good works.
