…As Otti explains capacity of Abia Airport
Last Saturday was a day of harvest for the Labour Party (LP) in Abia State.
It was a day, some former members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Party (ADC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Ngwa extraction in Abia Central of Abia State, dumped their former parties.
The defectors include Onyebuchi Ememanka, former chief press secretary to former governor Okezie Ikpeazu and a former council chairman of the PDP, G.O.C Nnaji, and Ncheta Omerekpe, a former PDP governorship aspirant, among others.
They disclosed the reasons behind their defection to the LP while speaking at Nbawsi Mini Stadium, Isiala Ngwa North, during the official reception organised by the Labour Party in Umunneato-Ngwa extraction of Abia Central including Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma Ngwa LGAs.
Ememanka, former chief press secretary to Ikpeazu, and also former director general strategic communication bureau of Abia State, said that he and others were attracted to join the Labour Party based on the achievements of Governor Otti which he said were unprecedented.
“You know, in this part of the world, in Nigeria especially, what drives party membership, basically, is the performance and the approach of the leader.
“In this case here, the developmental strides of the governor are principally the reason why we are witnessing this today.
“And this is something that has been happening over the last one year. After his first one year, the people saw that, indeed, this governor means business. And naturally, the people are attracted to positive performances. So, that is why this influx is being witnessed,” Ememanka said.
He advised all of his colleagues, who newly joined the Labour Party to continue to push the pro-Otti narrative in all their interactions and social gatherings.
“While those of us who are joining will continue to support the governor in our various offices, in our various interactions, in our various social platforms, political platforms continue to push the pro-Otti narrative, to make sure that in 2027, the governor is elected to return landslide to complete his second tenure,” Ememanka further said.
GOC Nnaji, pioneer secretary of PDP in 1998 and the PDP chairman in Isiala Ngwa North, in his remarks, said that he was happy to identify with Governor Otti because the governor has brought positive change to Abia.
Nnaji said that it would be uncharitable not to identify with Otti, who has done great in the state and maintained that his re-election was a done deal. He urged others to appreciate the positive change brought into Abia by the governor.
“I am here to identify with the performing Governor of Abia state, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti.
“Two weeks ago, I was the LG Chairman of PDP. That is to say that standing before you here, to become a member of Labour Party was the chief executive officer of PDP Isiala Ngwa North. The Number One PDP man in Isiala Ngwa North.
“So, with my supporters, we have come to say, Alex Otti our governor, you have done well. And we don’t want to sit on the fence for the 2027 re-election. For me, that re-election is a done deal.
“What we are going to do is to make it a lot easy for the governor by joining the old members of Labour Party for a huge victory in February 2027. Governor will complete eight years because others completed eight years. Nothing will stop that,” Nnaji said.
Peter Azubike, chairman LP stakeholders, who was at the event to welcome new entrants into the party, while speaking about the 2027 election, maintained that Governor Alex Otti has performed exceptionally well and would be re-elected.
According to him, there is no opposition in the state and the people whose lives have been positively affected by the governor would be the ones to run election against any seeming opposition, unlike in 2023 when Otti was the actual one that ran for election.
“I know that he (Gov. Otti), has performed exceptionally well. So, when I mean exceptionally well, this is the first time that Abia is actually proud to be called God’s Own State. And that’s indeed what we are. I also want to thank God for giving us his Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti. It is not just about politics, this is about governance; this is about people-oriented leadership, even the blind can see that in Abia. I will tell you, there’s no opposition in Abia State. Those who are ganging up in the guise of opposition, even them, they know that there’s no opposition in Abia state.
“In fact, the people will speak when the time comes, like I said at some point, in 2023, His Excellency ran election. But in 2027, the people would run the election against any opposition. That is the truth, that’s where we stand,” Azubuike said.
Speaking earlier, Governor Otti said that no new member of the party would be discriminated against.
“So, as you are joining today, you have the same status with me. If you want to be Governor, then you can come and contest with me,” Otti said.
According to him, what distinguishes the Labour Party from other political parties, is, “once you become a member, you start enjoying the same privileges with others.”
Otti, explained that “what is being built in Nsulu land is not just an International Airport but an Airport City.”
He thanked the people of the area for supporting the decision of the government to site the Airport project in their place.
“Let me thank all our brothers and sisters for their support. particularly, the genuine people who have supported our decision to site an airport in this community.
“Because it is a city, there are so many things that will come with it. If you are following, you will understand that the Nigerian Air Force has already taken 100 hectares of land to build their facility here.
“A highly-rated hotel is going to be sited at the Airport. This hotel is going to be managed internationally. Plazas, so many things are coming with the Airport City.
“So, if you didn’t understand it before, understand it, that we are not just putting an airport. It will come with a lot of things that will provide jobs for our people, move the economy forward, and give our people a new lease of life,” Otti said.
The governor also said that he was aware that some individuals from Nsulu were not receptive to the idea of siting the airport in their community.
“I am aware that some of your sons have been against siting the airport here. It is because they don’t understand. There is no way they would be against something that will lift this community.
“So, my message to you is that, when you go back, those who are from this community, we are not interested in fighting with them, even though we will win them.”
Emmanuel Nweze Oti, acting state chairman of LP, while noting that the defectors came from PDP, APC, and ADC, cutting across the three LGAs known as Umunneato, said:
“They saw your (Gov. Otti) works across all sectors and decided to come and join you.”
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