Following a crucial meeting Wednesday in Umuahia, the Ukwa people have distanced themselves from what they called “scandalous writeups to portray Gov. Alex Otti’s administration in a bad light” by one of their own and former Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor under Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration, Sir Don Ubani.
Arising from their meeting, where the Chairman of Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, ASOPADEC, the Mayor, Ukwa West LGA, Newman Azu, the Ukwa West Labour Party, LP Ihenyerechi Dike, the LP House of Assembly candidate in the last general election, Election Anselem, and Pastor Promise Onwukwe, among others, were present, the people said, “We are here to counter the scandalous story that portrays Gov. Otti’s administration in a bad light and emanating from one of us in Ukwa West.
“We have been patient with him in his naked dance against the governor of Abia State. We dissociate the entire Ukwa people from what he is doing, and his stand does not reflect the opinion of Ukwa people”.
According to the ASOPADEC Chairman, “all he says is entirely his. He is only reflecting the strategy of his party (PDP) to rubbish the government of Ottomans or for people to look down on the good intentions of Ottomans towards the people, the state, and even beyond. We dissociate ourselves from him.”.
Also speaking, the Mayor of Ukwa West LGA, Newman Azu, said, “Don. Ubani’s view does not, in any way, reflect the view of the Ukwa people. He represents 24 years of failed and corrupt governance.
“After a few months of Otti in government, we people of Ukwa have not had it so good with any governor. We are proud to associate with Gov. Otti. Abandoned projects, including markets, roads, and civic centres abandoned for over 20 years, have come alive.
“We as a people are solidly behind him and are proud to say that Otti will administer the state for the next seven and a half years.”.
They noted, “Otti is the only governor who, on assumption of office, has shown goodwill to the Ukwa people, even as ASOPADEC has, under his administration, done much and commissioned projects in Ukwa. We see Otti as an ally of the people of Ukwa, including in accessing roads leading to Ukwa.
“It is appalling that it is a Ukwa man who will be at the forefront of lying. We want to remind him that if he is only seeking attention, it should be positive, not engaging in lies and backbiting”, stating that Gov. Otti has done much for them and deserves respect”.
They recalled that Sir Don Ubani has been known as a critic, but not constructive, and has been alleging fake kidnapping attempts on him, informing him that ASOPADEC did not sack any worker or the state government sacked any worker as he alleged, among other lies.
They affirmed their belief in and support for Gov. Alex Otti.
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