Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia
Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Mr. Alex Otti, at the weekend erased any doubt about his intention to take another shot at government house Umuahia in 2019 as he opened a zonal office of Abia First, his campaign platform at the commercial city of Abia.
He told his enthusiastic supporters that 2019 was already at hand contrary to the erroneous belief of some politicians who after the 2015 general election thought that the next election year was light years away only to wake up and discover that tomorrow has come.
The campaign office, which was committed to God in prayers by a former member of House of Representatives, Hon Nnanna Ngwu, who is also the BoT Chairman of Abia First, was formally declared open by Otti before he proceeded to address his supporters.
Otti, who was the governorship flagbearer of APGA in 2015, noted that most of the people that played “dirty politics†in the hope that 2019 would never come were now regretting their actions due to the “poor performance†of the PDP led government in the state.
He said Abia was still suffering from arrested development hence he has been vindicated along with millions of Abians that believed in his capability to turn God’s own state around for the better.
However the former bank boss told his supporters that the desired change would not come by mere wishful thinking, adding that they must obtain their permanent voters cards (PVCs) “which remain the greatest weapon to end misgovernance and suffering in Abia.â€
He promised that come 2019 he would lead APGA in Abia to accomplish the kind of electoral feat the party recorded in Anambra State where Governor Willie Obiano thrashed his formidable opponents in the November 11, 2017 governorship poll.
Otti explained that the zonal campaign office located along Okigwe road Aba was meant to serve the needs his supporters and to coordinate his political activities in Abia South zone comprising Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Aba North, Aba South Ugwunagbo and Obingwa local governments.
He lauded his supporters and indeed Aba people for their sustained love and solidarity, and for trooping in large numbers to witness the campaign office
While fielding questions from journalists later, Otti dismissed as minor issue and normal political development when reminded of the rather worrisome developments in his party, especially the defections of APGA members in Abia as well as an existing factional group within the party.
He argued that even in families, misunderstanding do occur how much more political party hence the happenings in APGA were not something that should make loyal APGA faithful to lose their sleep.
The former APGA governorship candidate further stated that defectors that found solace in his party posed no threat to his 2019 gubernatorial ambition, adding that if such persons have ambition to vie for the party’s ticket it would be a welcome development as long as party constitution is respected in the contest.
He also said he was ready to take all comers in the 2019 governorship contest as he and APGA fought against tough opponents in 2015 and really performed well, adding that he remains an apostle of healthy political competition as it helps to bring out the best in the candidates.
