ABIA LG ELECTIONS: 17 OUTGOING MAYORS EXPRESS SOLIDARITY FOR GOV OTTI,DESCRIBE ALLEGED DEFECTION PLOT AS FAKE NEWS
Umuahia – The Mayors of the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia state, have described as false, reports by a section of the social media, that they have perfected plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) following their alleged sack by Governor Alex Otti (OFR).
The 17 Mayors stated in a statement that they personally signed and made available to SummitNews, that there was no time that they were sacked by Governor Otti.
According to the Mayors, their primary objective is to assist the governor in transforming Abia to a model state, just as they are preparing for a seamless handover to the incoming elected local government chairmen.
The statement read: “The attention of the eminent Mayors of Abia State has been drawn to some malicious viral social media news under the Headings:
1. OUTGOING ABIA LG MAYORS SET TO DEFECT TO APC AFTER
SACKED BY GOVERNOR OTTI
2. DECONSTRUCTING THE MAYORS AS NEW ABIA TRADE UNIONIST
“We the Distinguished Mayors of the 17 Local Governments of Abia State wish to assure men of goodwill and entire good people of Abia State that there is no iota of truth in these concocted news items.
“That a meeting was held in Port Harcourt by the 17 Mayors was just at the hazy imagination of the news peddler, perhaps at the sponsorship of his masters who are daily becoming politically uncomfortable with the towering local and international image of Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, the transformative and God sent Governor of Abia State.
“To strengthen the records more and again, there was no time Mayors were sacked by chioma ndi Abia, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR.
“The authors of these publications have exhibited utter lack of knowledge of laws of the land knowing fully well that His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR is a sticker to democratic and legal norms.
“The outgoing 17 Mayors were invited by His Excellency to assist in rescuing our state and lay a solid foundation for effective and efficient local government administration in the state.
“There was never a time any agreement whatsoever was brokered to railroad them into elected Chairmen.
“It is,therefore, fallacious to simulate deceit for a process that has successfully met the provisions of extant laws of Abia State.
“The Mayors are busy joining hands with His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR , in taking Abia closer to the desired destination of a model State, while preparing for a seamless handover to the incoming Chairmen and will not allow themselves to be distracted by unfounded social media rumours.
“We are aware that there are desperado politicians lurking around to see who to devour. Fortunately, the present crop of Mayors are not mercantile politicians and, therefore, not transactional in their quest to serve the people of Abia State.
“Our dear Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR has continued to be exemplary in leadership to the chagrin of those who do not mean well for Abia State.
“We are indeed grateful to His Excellency for the opportunity given to us to serve and we pledge our unalloyed support to him in the delivery of the Abia project.
The statement was signed by:1. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele PhD; Mayor Isialangwa South LGA
and Chairman Association of Local Governments of Nigeria
(ALGON), Abia State Chapter
2. Chief Eric Achi Egwuibe, PhD, FCA; Mayor Obingwa LGA,
and Secretary Association of Local Governments of Nigeria
(ALGON) Abia State Chapter.
3. Ide John Udeagbala, Mayor, Aba North LGA
4. Chief Uche Wogu, Mayor, Aba South LGA
5. Comrade Emeka Nosike Ihesiaba, Mayor, Ugwunagbor LGA
6. Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Nwagbara, Mayor, Ukwa East LGA
7. Chief Newman Azu, Mayor Ukwa West LGA
8. Chief (Dr.) David Ogba Onuoha (Bourdex), Mayor, Ohafia LGA
9. Chief (Bar.) Chijioke J. Nwankwo, Mayor, Bende LGA
10. AVM (Rtd) Chinwendu Onyike, Mayor, Isuikwuato LGA
11. Mr. Ndubuisi Ike, Mayor, Umunneochi LGA
12. Chief Joe Eze Aru, Mayor, Arochukwu LGA
13. High Chief Victor Ikeji, PhD, Mayor Umuahia North LGA
14. Bar. Ejikeme Nnochiri Obike, Mayor, Umuahia South LGA
15. Chief Osinachi Nwaka, Mayor, Ikwuano LGA
16. Chief (Engr.) Israel Nweke, Mayor, Osisioma Ngwa LGA
17. Chief Cyprain Nwankwo, Mayor, Isiala Ngwa North LGA
