The apex socio-cultural umbrella body of Ukwa-Ngwa land, OHA UKWA- NGWA National Congress incorporated has called on the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti to wean himself of dictatorial tendencies and toe the path of democratic ethos, in the conduct of the affairs of the state, warning that his continued suppression of opposition voices and their platforms can compromise the peace and stability of Abia.
Ohaukwa-Ngwa also advised Gov Otti to rather channel his energy towards addressing the challenges facing Abians, such as infrastructural deficit, payment of pension and salaries arrears as well as in tackling the recent rise in security situation, noting that it would not make any sense after criticizing previous administrations over perceived lapses and he fails to address same.
The Oha Ukwa -Ngwa Congress which spoke through its National President Barr. Chinenye Emelogu in an interview with NewsCritic online in Aba on Tuesday July 11, said it is wrong for Gov Otti to arrogate to himself the powers of an Imperial Majesty in an otherwise democratic space, citing the Gov’s provocative interference in the affairs of the legislative arm of government since his inauguration as a time bomb which is capable of blowing away the peace and stability of the state.
According to Barr Emelogu, who was also a former commissioner during the last administration, Gov Otti’s connivance in denying the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, its constitutional and natural rights in the election of principal officers of the 8th Abia House of Assembly is tantamount to impunity taken too far.
“It is a known fact that the PDP with 11 members in the House of Assembly, as against Labour Party’s 10 is the majority party, and therefore should constitutionally call the shots, as far as the selection of the leadership of the House is concerned. But unfortunately, this is not the case, due to the dictatorial tendencies of the Governor, who not only sat back after proclaiming the House to intimidate members to select the Speaker and other officials from the minority LP, but capped it with the nauseating and provocative selection of the Majority Leaders from an otherwise minority party.
“On the journey to this political infamy, the Governor ignored the existing laws guiding the selection of the leaderships of the legislative arm, both at the national and state levels. Here I’m talking about the issue of only ranking members leading the legislative bodies, reason why Rt Hon Chinedum Orji despite being in a position to force his way as the Speaker during his first tenure never did so, but waited patiently till his second tenure.
“My take is that what the Governor is doing is not only a rape of our democracy, but also a recipe for bad governance. This is because his major concern is to have a rubber stamp House, and a slumbering opposition which will not be in the overall interests of Abians,” Emelogu stated.
The Oha Ukwa- Ngwa Congress said what the good people of Abia state are expecting from Gov Otti is for him to do things differently from past regimes with a view to attending to their pressing needs and not engaging in self destructive tendencies.
