Otti flags off re-election campaign, says Abia won’t return to ‘era of irresponsibility’
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia on Sunday formally flagged off his re-election campaign, declaring that the state would not return to what he described as the “era of irresponsibility.”
Otti made the declaration at the Umuahia Township Stadium during the campaign flag-off attended by thousands of supporters of the Labour Party from the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
The event featured various support groups, organisations and dance troupes, with the venue and surrounding areas taking on a carnival-like atmosphere.
The governor said his administration had succeeded in breaking what he described as a “siege” on the state following years of poor leadership.
“Never shall we go back to the era of irresponsibility. Nothing will make us go back to Egypt,” Otti said.
He recalled his unsuccessful attempts to secure the governorship of the state in 2015 and 2019, saying that the people eventually voted for change in 2023.
According to him, his administration would establish institutional safeguards to protect its reforms and prevent the state from relapsing into its past.
Otti urged the people to support him for another four years to consolidate the achievements of his administration.
He said the manifesto for the forthcoming election, titled “The New Abia: From Rescue to Consolidation,” contained plans to consolidate what he described as the gains recorded in the past three and a half years.
The governor said his administration had completed about 400 road projects covering more than 1,000 kilometres across the state.
He listed the Port Harcourt Road, Oboha Road, Ohanku Road and Arochukwu Road among projects executed by the administration.
Otti also said the government had invested in primary healthcare, education, tertiary institutions, industries, small and medium-sized enterprises and agriculture.
He said more than 9,000 teachers had been employed and smart schools constructed in several parts of the state.
The governor added that his administration had invested in Abia State University, Uturu, and Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, while supporting the revival of industries and SMEs in Aba.
“Above all, I have restored the dignity of Abians. Abians are now proud to participate in development conversations in circles where such conversations are held,” he said.
Otti appealed to residents to vote for Labour Party candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
He also expressed support for political tolerance, urging that candidates of other political parties be allowed to campaign in the state.
He directed state functionaries to make public facilities available to candidates and political parties seeking to use them for campaign activities, provided the applicable fees were paid and regulations observed.
The governor urged his supporters to focus their campaigns on issues, policies and records of performance, while warning against political violence, brigandage and other forms of electoral misconduct.
The Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Mr Ken Eluma Asogwa, issued the statement on Sunday.
