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Ohanaeze enjoins Otti not to relent in quest to rescue Abia

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Ohanaeze enjoins Otti not to relent in quest to rescue Abia

 

The leaderships of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the South East and South-South zones of Nigeria have called on a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former gubernatorial candidate in Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, not to relent in his effort to enthrone a credible leadership in Abia and Igboland in general.

They described Otti, a renowned economist and ex-bank chief executive officer, as a huge asset needed by the Igbo nation at this time of leadership challenges to help Ndigbo get their politics right.

RELIABLESOURCENG.COM learnt that the leaders made the call during a visit to Otti at his office in Lagos, during the week, as part of their consultations with “select notable personalities of Igbo extraction” who, according to them, have proven track record of excellence and have shown serious desire to engineering responsible and people-oriented leadership in Igbo land.

Speaking separately, Barr. C.J Ihemedu, President, Ohanaeze Imo State Chapter; Maxi Chukwma Okpalaezekwu, secretary-general, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Youth wing worldwide; Prince Frank Nwandu, President Ohanaeze Delta State; Prince Emeka Udodeme, President Ohanaeze Anambra State, and Comrade Paul Nwankwo, President Ohanaeze, Abia State Chapter, said that they had been on consultations with prominent Igbos in the calibre of Dr Otti, in their quest to assist the Igbo nation make the right choices in the 2023 elections, both at the federal and respective Igbo speaking states.

They explained that they were tasked with raising 10 notable names and that Otti’s name featured prominently as he had positive reviews from respected personalities whose opinions were sought.

Barr Ihemedu made reference to Late Chief Sam Mbakwe, a former civilian governor of old Imo state, who executed so many projects while still crying to the Federal Government for more support, and re-echoed Mbakwe’s postion that the Igbo nation should be in a hurry to come together for the development of the zone. He also expressed joy that Anambra has to a great extent gotten it right leadership wise.

In his contribution, Nwandu recalled how they followed Otti’s election as governor in Abia State, in 2015, and disclosed that they were deeply pained by the daylight robbery that snatched victory from him, describing it as a missed opportunity to set Abia on the path of development and progress.

He regretted that Abia and Delta states had not been lucky with leadership until the present government of Delta came on board, which according to him is doing very well.

He encouraged Dr Otti not to be discouraged, insisting that what happened to him in Abia was a setback that affected the entire Igbo nation, and assured that his vision would be actualised in God’s time.

READ: Alex Otti Foundation invites applications for 2021/2022 scholarships

Lending his voice, Mazi Okpalaezeukwu, Secretary-General, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Youth wing thanked Otti for receiving them and said it was a great privilege to address him in company of the state presidents and on behalf of the Igbo youths.

Okpalezeukwu regretted that incompetence, injustice and inaction of people in leadership positions have caused serious harm on Igbo youths, hence their clamour for God fearing and visionary leaders who would be willing to drive policies and programmes that would protect the welfare of Igbo youths.

Otti thanked his visitors for the honour of the visit while regretting his inability to attend the Igbo Day Celebration held in Lagos by Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Lagos Chapter. He said the event coincided with a meeting he hosted same day and time.

He expressed confidence in the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, describing Prof George Obiozor, the President General, as a mentor and a father to him. He declared he was one of the people that supported him to go for the president of Ohanaeze and placed on record the excellent leadership that Obiozor has brought to the organisation.

He revealed that he massively supported several Igbo men and women during his time in the bank by extending facilities to Igbo business owners.

Otti, according to a statement by his media adviser, Ferdinand Ekeoma, expressed surprise that people from outside Abia also knew and still remembered what transpired in the state in 2015, to the point of analysing it accurately.

He described it as the darkest moment in Abia politics as it has brought sorrow, anguish and misery upon the people. He maintained that he was not surprised that those who stole the mandate of the people have had God take away wisdom and knowledge from them, hence their consistent confusion and indulgence in acts that make governance look like rocket science.

The ex-bank chief cautioned that a community or zone producing a governor or president does not guarantee development as had been seen in the past, and made case for the involvement of accomplished and decent people in government so as to arrest the drift and destruction ravaging our body polity and ala Igbo.

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