The Re-election of Governor Alex Otti of Abia State received a major boost on Friday as the Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council announced the endorsement of Governor’s second term bid.
Making their feeling known when they paid the Governor a courtesy visit in his office, the Royal Fathers also adopted him as their sole candidate for the Abia 2027 gubernatorial election.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Chairman, Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Franklin Ohalezim and his colleagues applauded the Governor for his outstanding leadership and transformative achievements, particularly in restoring security and peace in their area.
They recalled the dark days of insecurity and kidnapping that once plagued Umunneochi, particularly before the emergence of Governor Otti, noting that the community suffered immensely before the intervention of the Governor.
The elated monarchs pointed out that they were the first LGA that benefited from the benevolence of the Governor and commended him for taking bold steps immediately after assuming office to boldly tackle insecurity in the area.
The Royal Fathers described Governor Otti as a leader divinely positioned to restore the glory of the State, emphasising that the people of Umunneochi came to express gratitude and offer prayers for the success of the administration and assured that they would mobilise to ensure that Governor Otti is reelected.
In his speech, Eze Okechukwu Chukwudi who disclosed that he was personally involved in the community security efforts at that time and witnessed first-hand, the challenges faced due to poor funding and inadequate logistics for security operatives under the former administration, noted:
“We in Umuneochi are the first beneficiaries of this administration’s good governance. Even before you were officially sworn in, you had already started addressing security challenges in our area.
“We went through hell in Umunneochi in the height of the insecurity and kidnapping. Our people lived in fear, security agencies were overwhelmed, and even the police checkpoints had to be abandoned because criminals could attack and kill officers.
“But today, peace has returned, and people can move freely again because of the decisive actions of Governor Alex Otti”.
Responding, Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, who appreciated the traditional rulers for their kind words, noted that he had a clear vision of what he wants to achieve on assumption of office, hence, he was able to deploy the needed strategies to deal with insecurity.
“We came with a clear vision. We were very clear in our minds. The development of our State could not have happened with the level of insecurity we had at that time.
“And that was why shortly after we were sworn in, we swung into action to recover parts of Umunneochi and Isuikwuato.
“Some of those parts had been taken over by hoodlums and bandits. And we also deployed technology as much as we had at that time because it was early days.
“And the rudimentary technology we had at that time also pointed to a few flashpoints. So, we set up an inter-agency security outfit codenamed, Operation Crush, funded it very well, and also selected the personnel.
“Those who could do the battle, we gave them clear mandates. And in no distant time, we managed to restore sanity in Umunneochi, particularly,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor, who stated that some people misrepresented his actions and intentions on the Umunneochi security issue, pointed out that they even brought in ethnic colouration to it, but he was able to stand firm in doing the right thing.
“There were areas that were ‘no go’ areas. Some people who wanted to manipulate the process, wanted to make it an ethnic affair. Up to the point of going to report me to the Sultan of Sokoto.
“They didn’t know that the Sultan had been my friend for over 20 years. They went to Sultan and told him that I’m tribalistic, Sultan told them that he knows me like his son and that I am not tribalistic .
“So, they eventually came here. I’m sure you remember that. After our meeting, I showed them that it was not an ethnic war. It was about restoring sanity, law, and order in Umunneochi.
“And they granted a press interview where they rescinded the order they had given,” Gov. Otti explained.
Governor Otti, while appreciating the Umunneochi people for their support, noted that, without their support, they he would not have achieved all those things, and encouraged them to continue to support his government.
The State Chief Executive also enjoined the political leaders of Umunneochi LGA to work in harmony with the traditional institution to ensure that peace reigns supreme in the LGA .
The member representing Umunneochi State Constituency, Hon. Mathias Nwachi Umeh, Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, Mayor of Umunneochi, Hon. Sunday Aforuobi, SSA on Due Process, Dr Oluebube Chukwu, SSA on Public Communication, Mr. Dodoh Okafor, among others, were present at the visit.
