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WE’RE ONLY INTERESTED IN RECOVERING OUR LOOTED FUNDS, NOT FIGHTING ANYONE – GOV OTTI

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Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, says his government is not out to fight or witch-hunt anybody but only interested in preserving the people’s commonwealth and recovering whatever funds that belong to the state that may have been looted.

Governor Otti, who was reacting to the report of forensic audit in the state which revealed that the immediate past administration had spent tens of billions of Naira on non existent projects, including the so-called Abia Airport, said this measure is all about enthroning good governance in the state.

The Governor spoke on Sunday at Umuehim, Nvosi, Isialangwa South, during a solidarity visit by hundreds of supporters, various groups and loyalists of the member representing Isialangwa South State Constituency, Hon. Rowland Chinwendu. He insisted that all he wants is the progress and development of Abia State, adding that if the airport was not built, the money voted for the project should be returned.

“I established forensic audit of our account as soon as I was sworn in and the report turns out that a lot of money was looted, stolen brazenly and part of the one I mentioned was the 10 billion Naira Abia airport project. They started insulting me. If you follow what is happening in the media, you would know that what I said is true.

“We are looking for our money. If we are not able to find the airport, they would have to refund us our money. We are not pursing anybody, they should refund the money they stole, let’s use it to work for our people.

“Our place must develop. We will continue to build road, we will continue cleaning up the environment, we would continue to create jobs, we will continue to put our state on the map. Our educational system must be completely revamped, our hospital system must not only work but will be to that level where the rest of the world is today,” the Governor said.

The state chief executive used the occasion to disclose that his administration would soon commence a medical city project in Abia, which would turn Abia into a major medical tourist destination, especially for people with serious health challenges to receive care.

Governor Otti described the solidarity visit by Hon. Chinwendu, popularly called Caesar, and his group of supporters as a good omen. He thanked Chinwendu for his support in the State House of Assembly, saying that they have been working together since the inception of the 8th Assembly.

Speaking, Senator Darlington Nwokocha noted that Governor Otti has through his unprecedented achievements in just eleven months in office redefined politics and Governance. He noted that Abians are now proud of their state and lauded Hon. Chiwendu for coming with his supporters to identify with the Governor.

In his speech, Hon. Chiwendu noted that the people of Isialangwa South sent him to the House to represent their interest with its attendant democracy dividends, pointing out that he cannot afford to be seen as an opposition to the Governor, who comes from the same local goverment area with him.

The lawmaker, while commending Governor Otti for the ongoing reconstruction of Umuikaa-Umuene road among other projects in the area, said that he brought his supporters to identify with the Governor and tell him that they are proud of his achievements in office.

 

KAZIE UKO
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Abia State
Government House, Umuahia
May 6, 2024.

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Politics

Kebbi ADC suspends state chairman, two others

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has suspended its chairman, Engineer Sufiyanu Bala, along with his deputy, Junaidu Muhammed Mudi, and the state secretary, Hauwa Muhammed.

Speaking to journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the party’s publicity secretary, Jamilu Muhammed, accused the Sufiyanu-led leadership of making decisions without consulting other executives.

“We address you today to announce the immediate suspension of Sufiyanu Bala, his deputy, and secretary Hauwa from the party with immediate effect,” he said.

Muhammed alleged that the suspended leaders allowed Abuja nomadic politicians to dominate the party, a move strongly opposed by the founding members.

“We will not, after tailoring the party to its present status, allow Abuja politicians to dominate it,” he added.

According to him, the decision came after an extraordinary meeting of loyal ADC members and stakeholders who have been with the party long before the coming of Abuja impostors.

The party has appointed Abdulrazaq Abubakar Isah Iko as interim chairman and Adamu Aliyu as acting secretary until a new congress is held.

The Kebbi ADC warned the suspended members to stop identifying themselves as party officials or carrying out activities in the party’s name.

It also condemned political gatherings organised by the suspended officials, saying such actions violate the Electoral Act.

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Ekwunife blasts Soludo, says government House not his birthright

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Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, Senator Uche Ekwunife has warned Governor Soludo to get ready to hand over power, insisting that the government house is not his birthright.

Senator Ekwunife stated this while addressing party faithful in her country home in Nri, Anaocha Council area of the state where she described the administration of the governor as an abysmal failure in all round development and security of lives and property.

“Soludo and I are not at war, what is happening is that what he is currently holding is what we want. The constitution of Nigeria made it four year term for every elected governor. And if you do well, you will be re-elected but in the case of Soludo, it is obvious he has lost touch with governance and that is why APC has presented veritable platform for the people of the state to reclaim their state from APGA misrule.

“The governor, rather than concentrate on positive governance, has been going about crying like a baby, calling my name up and down and we are not losing sleep over his rantings. He has not done well to deserve a second term and that is why the state seems to be on autopilot for four years.

“I make bold to say that Soludo was smart to have hurriedly parked into the uncompleted Anambra State government House, which goes to tell his state of panicky mood of losing this election which is going to happen. But he has forgotten that government is a continuum and when one stops, another person takes over and that is why we presented a veritable alternative to Ndi Anambra.”

Also speaking during the programme, the former Minister of State, Science and Technology, Henry Ikoh described the governorship election in the state as very vital in order to connect the state to the mainstream politics of Nigeria and called for total and massive votes for the party and her candidates, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and Senator Uche Ekwunife.

Ikoh said the time for the party to clinch Anambra State has come with the massive mobilization of stakeholders across the state and county in general to support the party and ensure smooth victory in the November 8 governorship election.

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I consulted for 6 months before dumping PDP for APC – Gov Eno

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In an interview with Channels Television, the governor said his state can’t be in the opposition after producing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

He said: “I consulted for six months before moving, I didn’t just wake up and decided to move. We have stayed in the opposition for so many years.

“There are enormous benefits to align with the centre. First of all, we have a Senate President in this country who is from here and we have to give him the support to be able to help.

“We can’t have the Senate President in another party and we are here in the opposition, you know how politics plays out here, it will keep weeping up sentiments.”

The new APC member said he believes in the policies of President Bola Tinubu.

He said Tinubu is making much efforts towards repositioning the economy, which was in a bad shape when he assumed office.

“Two, I believe in the programme of Tinubu – this economy was battered and we were really low by the time he took over power.

“We have seen the efforts he is making, the reforms he is making and he should have our support.

 

“States governments, I speak for Akwa Ibom have benefitted from those reforms and is why we are able to have the funds to do what we are doing.

“If somebody is doing well, you say he is doing well and if he is not doing well we say he is not doing well.

“If I can see him and discuss our issues and he listens to our issues and helps us where he can, why should I work against the President?”

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