The Peoples Democractic Party in Abia State, on Friday, evaluated decisions and policy thrusts taken so far by Governor Alex Otti-led administration in the state, towards engendering growth and development in every parts of the state in the past weeks after its assumption of office.
Recall that Otti who was the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and winner of the just-concluded 2023 gubernatorial seat election conducted in Abia by the Independent National Electoral Commission, alongside with his running- mate, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu was on 29th May 2023, swore-in as the new executive Governor and Deputy Governor of the state respectively by the Chief Judge of Abia state.
The swearing-in ceremony was held in May 29th 2023, at Umuahia Township Stadium in the state capital.
Otti, an ex-bank chief polled a total number of polling a total of 175, 467 votes cast to beat his closest rival and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okey Ahiwe, who scored 88,529 votes to come second place at the concluded main governornorship election which took place In Abia on 18th of March, 2023.
The party regretted at most decisions taken so far by the current administration led by Governor Alex Otti in Abia state after its formal inauguration, positing the government’s decisions are smacked out of desk reeks of hate, anatgonism, vendetta and missteps against the state leadership when the governor ought to have preached peace and reconciliation among all Abia citizens.
The Abia chapter of the PDP, stated this while making its position known which contained in a statement issued on Friday by the State Vice Chairman and the acting state publicity secretary of the party, Hon Amah Abraham.
The state party leadership also maintained that the first few appointments made by the Abia governor was skewed in favour of a particular section of the state and this, according to the state leadership, must no be as every section of Abia parades the best that can be used for any position in government.
“Making appointments that speak against our oneness is at best divisive and would not provide the conviviality needed to move the state forward.
“The mistakes he has made show him as incompetent, bringing credence to the point we made during the campaigns that there is a huge difference between running a small financial institution and running a big public corporation like Abia state”, the party added.
The party criticized Governor Otti for disbanding the task force on collection of vehicle levies on Abia without first creating an alternative to those that earn a decent living from that sector as he went further to appoint the state deputy governor to lead the charge in enforcing the disbandment.
It further regretted that the state governor bypassed extant laws that established statutory boards in Abia and dissolved them with executive fiat and described the action as unlawful, high-handed and obnoxious.
“As if that was not enough, he asked the chairman of all the illegally dissolved boards to hand over to the most senior officers in the board but in the case of Abia State Universal Basic Education Board(ASUBEB), contradicted himself by imposing an officer who is not most senior over the due one. What manner of imposition is that,”the State PDP queried.
The main opposition party in Abia state also carpeted the state governor on the recent removal of Professor Hagler Okorie as rector of the state owned polytechnic in Aba, and replaced him with his deputy, Mrs Chidinma Martha Ndukwe.
It partly stated: “Hagler Okorie, a renowned professor of law was just appointed and confirmed in march 2023 by the immediate past Governor of Abia state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu and we begin to wonder the reason for his removal because he has shown capacity as a good manager in the last few months of administering Abia Polytechnic”.
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The Abia PDP continued: “If what we are thinking that he is making good his threat not to touch anything used by the former Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu is correct, then we are worried that Abians are in for a ride with an emperor not a governor.
“The best Governor Alex Otti can do to move Abia forward is to rid himself of the excessive and deep seated animus against the PDP and those that did not vote for him. The day he was sworn in as the governor of Abia state is the day he became the father of all Abians.
“We expect that he should apply the best principles of good governance and not conduct himself as an intolerant leader. Unfortunately, that is the way he comes across to many people. Abia belongs to all of us and every Abian deserves to be treated fairly and equally”, the party submitted.
While berating decisions taken do far by Alex Otti-led administration in Abia state, the state leadership of the Peoples Democractic Party equally used the medium to call on its members and the people of the state to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding as it look forward for a better tomorrow.
Source: Chijindu Emeruwa|Contributor
