The 2015 Governorship candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, has launched scathing attacks against Ukwa/Ngwa people of Abia State, who make up 9 of 17 LGAs ij the state, for endorsing Governor Okezie Ikpeazu
Otti, a native of Arochukwu, said this in an interview published by Sun Newspaper of 8th April 2018, described Ukwa/Ngwa Traditional and political leaders as “ritualists, marabouts and native doctors”.
It will be recalled that prior to the 2015 Governorship election in Abia State, the Arochukwu born Otti changed his Local Government of origin to Isiala Ngwa South to enable him contest the seat that was zoned by Abia elders and founding fathers to Ukwa/Ngwa area of the state.
Answering questions on the recent decision of the Ukwa/Ngwa people, who gathered at the ancestral headquarters of Ngwa people, Okpuala Ngwa, to endorse Governor Ikpeazu for a second term in office, Otti stated as follows:
“The people that gathered at Okpualangwa are virtually all PDP people. They gathered some conflicted traditional rulers, PDP leaders, some that they call elders, definitely they are PDP elders, ritualists, marabouts and native doctors to endorse you and you pay them, and you say that UkwaNgwa people have endorsed you, did you not pay for the endorsement? In a place where people have shame, you don’t do that.”
Ukwa/Ngwa declaration II was attended by prominent political, community and traditional rulers from the area including Eze Bernard Enweremadu, Eze Eberechi Dick, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chief Reagan Ufomba, Chief Gershon Amuta, Eze Nwabiaraije Enogwe, Hon. Damian Ozurumba, Ochiagha Reagan Ufomba, Eze Nwabeke, Eze Love Wogu, Rt Hon Acho Nwakanma, Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chikwendu Kalu, among others.
One of the conveners of the Ukwa/Ngwa declaration who spoke to our reporter expressed anger at the statement made by Otti and vowed to ensure an appropriate response to the insult on their leaders.
“How much more insult will Otti heap on us and our leaders because he desperately wants to govern Abia State? Is he saying that Eze Enweremadu, Elder Adaelu and others were bribed? Who exactly is he calling a ritualist? Is it me that has worked hard all my life even while Otti was a baby in his mother’s womb? By the way, what is he doing in the land of ritualists and marabouts? Is it not time for him to leave us alone and return to Arochukwu?
We will meet Otti at the polls and teach him to respect his hosts. Our magnanimity and accommodating nature should not be taken for granted by anyone and enough is enough for Alex Otti”
