Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, days he has no intention of becoming a political godfather at the end of his tenure.
Speaking while formally receiving the Governorship Candidate of Social Democratic party SDP in the 2023 general elections, Dr Ngozi Johnson-Chukwunenye and her teeming supporters into the Labor Party fold in Umuahia, Governor Otti made it clear his reason for the position is because he did not tolerate godfathers.
He vowed to retire from politics after completing his tenure, insisting that it was time for the younger Nigerians to be given the opportunity to take over leadership.
While noting the importance of good governance as being exhibited by his administration, the Governor pointed out that people who experience effective leadership would resist any attempt to return them to poor governance.
“Once I finish this one, I will retire. Why do I say so? I want the young people to take over.
“I don’t want to be a godfather. And I don’t tolerate godfathers.
The most important thing you can give a people is good governance,” he noted.
Allaying the fears of those who are guttery of the future of the State under his potential successor, he again assured, “So, if you are afraid that we will go back to Egypt, it will never happen. We will all sit down, look at everybody and say, who is the best person for this job? And all of us will agree, and we will campaign for him; he will win. We will take a back seat.”
He called for an end to what he described as the practice of political leaders remaining in power indefinitely, arguing that younger people were better equipped to contribute to governance.
Governor Otti commended Dr Ngozi-Chukwunenye for the bold and positive step, describing her decision to join the party as a welcome development.
The Governor, assured Abians that his administration remains focused on delivering good governance and sustainable development across the state, adding that his government has recorded significant progress within the past 3 years despite the challenges inherited from previous administrations.
The National Secretary of Labour Party Chief Acho Obioma while welcoming the new entrants into the party, described Dr Ngozi Johnson-Chukwunenye as an asset to the party, assuring her of equal opportunities and treatment.
In her address, the decampee and 2023 SDP Governorship Candidate,Dr Ngozi Johnson-Chukwunenye said her resolve to join the Labor party was born out of her conviction that Governor Alex Otti is getting it right, noting that the Governor has within the past 3 years redefined governance by placing Abia on the global map.
She pointed out that Governor Alex Otti has turned the hopelessness of Abia civil servants to hopefulness as they now receive their salaries on the 28th of every month unlike in the past when civil servants and pensioners were subjected to hunger and months of unpaid salary.
