I will lead charge to take back Abia, serve for free as governor – Otti

Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, says he will serve the state for free, without collecting salaries, for the period of his stewardship to the state, if voted into office as governor.

Otti spoke after being elected as the standard bearer of Labour Party for the 2023 gubernatorial election, on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at the party’s governorship primary election, held at its secretariat in Umuahia, capital of Abia State.

He told the excited party members in his acceptance speech that it was time they rose and take Abia back from those who had held the state bound, promising to lead the charge as the governorship candidate of Labour Party.

Said he, “I am glad to inform you that if elected your Governor, I will serve you for free as I will collect no salary for the duration of my government. Instead, I will donate my salary to known humanitarian and development causes that will benefit the underprivileged in our State.

“I also promise you that the cost of governance will be reduced to the barest minimum and your money will be used to work for you. You will also be made to see that this pledge is kept during my tenure. Furthermore, we shall ensure that there would be no room for negligence, sharp practices and the usual unprofessional acts capable of denying our people access to good governance.

“Fellow party men and women, as I express my joy and appreciation for this uncommon show of love and support, I want to assure you that it is a call for us all to rise and join the movement. This is your time to take back what belongs to you and I have offered myself as a sacrifice to lead the charge.

“The next job is for you to go out there and convince your neighbour, your brothers and sisters, people within and outside your influence that Abia is going to be good once more. Everyone must use the next three weeks to register and get their PVCs, because with the amended electoral act, votes will count this time around.”

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Otti, a former bank chief executive officer, who had persistently called on the government of Abia State to pay workers and retirees their salaries, pensions and other entitlements, promised to defray all outstanding salaries and pensions within his first year in office.

The renowned economist posited that it was “unjust and inhuman” to owe workers their salaries many months in arrears. Besides, he argued, it was also not healthy for the economy of the state, especially one like Abia State that really needed to grow.

“You and I already know most of the deep-rooted challenges confronting us as a state; the problem of infrastructural decay, collapse of our health and education system; unemployment, poverty insecurity and non-payment of salaries and pensions.

“For a start, we shall move in with courage and sincerity and ensure that all outstanding arrears of salaries and pensions are completely cleared within the first year of our administration. I consider this a matter of urgent importance because of my knowledge of the way the economy works and my understanding of the importance of the civil service in the economic development of a state.

“I would ensure that the inglorious practice of non-payment of salaries and pensions would be a thing of the past. I have always held the view that a labourer is worthy of his wage, and therefore, not paying salaries is unjust and inhuman. It is also an anti-stimulant for an economy that needs stimulation and growth,” he told the highly expectant crowd.

He assured the people of Abia that the promises he had made to them were achievable, notwithstanding how insurmountable they appeared.

According to him, all that it would require to deliver on those promises were managerial acumen, high sense of duty, transparency and honesty.

“All these, I assure you, I am blessed with,” he affirmed.