• As group denies endorsing Otti, insists on state’s charter of equity
Abia State’s Labour Party governorship candidate in Saturday’s elections, Dr. Alex Otti, has promised to pay all workers’ outstanding salaries and pensions before the end of December 2023 if voted into office.
The current Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, led by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, owes workers and retirees many months of salary and pension arrears. Recently, doctors in the state’s service embarked on indefinite strike for non-payment of salary arrears of over 25 months. Pensioners are reportedly owed up to 56 months in arrears.
Speaking while on campaign stop at Uzuakoli, Bende Council, where he met and interacted with some members of the Alex Otti Support Group, Otti promised to right the wrongs of the past, adding that his government would be people-oriented.
He thanked the group for spending its resources to support him and the Labour Party in the state. He described Uzuakoli as a prominent community in Abia, but has been deliberately underdeveloped by successive governments. He promised that under his watch as governor of the state, Uzuakoli would take a place of pride, as he would work to implement the town’s masterplan, which has been confined to the shelves.
He reiterated his campaign promise to rebuild the state’s economy through industrialisation, creation of wealth and jobs, improving the human capital in the civil service and paying outstanding salaries and pensions owed by the government, before the end of December 2023.
Otti told the people not to be discouraged by the non-declaration of Peter Obi as the winner of the presidential election, held on February 25, saying it was not yet over as Obi has sworn to reclaim his mandate.
MEANWHILE, ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll, a group, Abia Rejoice, has insisted on adherence to the charter of equity, aimed at equitable rotation of power among the three senatorial zones in Abia State.
The group, in a statement by Chief Daniel Ofomere, contrary to notions in certain quarters, said it had not endorsed any governorship candidate in the state.
The group noted that the alleged endorsement of Alex Otti by Chibuzo Okogbuo was personal and without the consent of Dr. Uche Ogah and the leadership of Abia Rejoice.
It described anyone that claimed the group has pitched its support for any candidate as an interloper, who is using the name of the organisation to pursue his personal interest.
