UMUAHIA, Nigeria – The People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Abia State has criticized the early decisions of the newly elected Governor, Alex Otti.
The party accuses him of pursuing an agenda of antagonism, vendetta, and making administrative missteps at a time when he should be promoting peace and reconciliation among Abians.
In a statement released on Friday, June 9, 2023, by the State Vice Chairman and acting state publicity secretary of the party, Hon Amah Abraham, the PDP pointed out that the first few appointments made by Governor Otti were biased towards a particular section of the state, thus creating a division among Abia citizens.
“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 remarked.
The PDP also expressed concern over Governor Otti’s decision to disband the task force on collection of vehicle levies in Abia without creating an alternative for those whose livelihood depended on this sector.
The party further denounced the governor for bypassing extant laws to dissolve statutory boards in Abia, describing the action as unlawful, high-handed and obnoxious.
The party questioned, “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, he contradicted himself by imposing an officer who is not the most senior. What manner of imposition is that?”
The opposition party also criticized the state governor for the recent removal of Professor Hagler Okorie as Rector of the state-owned Polytechnic in Aba, and replacing him with his deputy, Mrs. Chidinma Ndukwe.
The PDP warned Abians that they may be in for a rough ride under Governor Otti’s leadership.
“The best Governor Alex Otti can do to move Abia forward is to rid himself of the excessive and deep-seated animosity 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 stated.
