Members of the Conference of former speakers of Abia State House of Assembly have said that they are highly impressed with Governor Alex Otti’s achievements so far in office.
They assured the governor that they would stop at nothing towards supporting his government to excel.
The former speakers, who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, made the pledge on Friday after accompanying Governor Alex Otti to inspect ongoing road contracts in Aba.
Speaking during a visit to the governor, some of the former Speakers, including Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka and Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, the immediate past Deputy Governor of the State, said elections have come and gone and what is expected now is governance.
Ohajuruka said they have seen Otti’s good works so far and were impressed and ready to offer pieces of advice and cooperation needed to enhance governance in Abia State.
“As critical stakeholders in Abia, we want to assure you that we will bring our wealth of experience to bear in supporting you.
“Elections have come and gone and what is expected is governance. We will offer advice, cooperation and support where needed towards ensuring Abians reap dividends of democracy,” he said.
Also speaking, the immediate past Deputy Governor and also former Speaker, Ude Oko Chukwu said they were appreciative of what Governor Otti was doing in the state and would support him to achieve his goals.
According to Oko Chukwu, “Abia is our own. It belongs to all of us and that is the reason we are happy with what you are doing. We are here for you in whatever capacity and whatever role we will play.
“We are quite impressed. We have gone out, we have seen things for ourselves, we have seen what you have done.”
Responding, Governor Otti thanked the group for identifying with him and the things he is doing in the state.
He stressed that leadership is about service and stewardship, saying that it was for that reason that he needed to be close to the people and monitor and keep contractors on their toes.
However, DAILY POST reports that the Friday “endorsement visit” has created some puzzles and set tongues wagging among many PDP and APC faithful in Abia State, with some of them fearing that the visit of the chieftains to Otti may mean something deeper.
A top member of the PDP from the State who spoke to DAILY POST on Saturday, acknowledged that Governor Otti was doing well in governance.
He, however, claimed that it was a big surprise to see top members of his party openly ‘following the Governor around Aba streets’.
According to the PDP chieftain, the visit by top members of the PDP to Governor Otti and the open endorsement given to him showed that all was not well with the PDP in the State.
But when contacted by DAILY POST for reaction, the Vice Chairman and acting Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Abraham Amah did not respond to a message sent to him on the matter on Saturday.
The same feeling is brewing in APC in the State as top members of the broom party, including former speakers, Martins Azubuike and Stanley Ohajuruka were part of the former speakers who accompanied Governor Otti during his inspection tour around Aba, before pledging their support to him.
Former speakers, Agwu U. Agwu and Arua Arunsi also made the trip.