Otti’s Alleged Nullification: Such jokes could set Abia ablaze – Group warns

A civil society organization, United Abia Artistes and Patriots has threatened the worst scenario if by any means the State’s governor-elect, Alex Otti is not sworn in on May 29.

The group said it strongly believes that the purported nullification of the gubernatorial election victory of Otti via a judgement that was delivered by a federal high court in Kano State and the subsequent denial was only a sign of things to come.

It also alleged a plot to thwart the will of the people and steal their mandate by all means.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the group Convener, Osita Offor and Secretary/Legal Adviser, Chuks Akamadu, described the Kano judgement as a joke taken too far, adding that considering the mood of Abians at this time, it is hardly auspicious for such jokes!

They recounted alleged failures by past administrations in the state, including owing workers 35 months’ salary arrears and not paying pensioners for over 40 months.

They claimed that gratuity for retired workers in the state is now a forgotten benefit while doctors and judiciary workers are still on strike over poor or no remuneration.

The CSO alleged that appointees of the government have been busy building houses and hotels and acquiring new fleets of vehicles while the people suffer from bad roads and a lack of other basic needs.

”Those around the state’s funds have been buying landed properties in choice areas in the state, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Lagos State, travelling abroad at will and for medical trips, sending their kids to study abroad and live like emperors.

”So, the last gubernatorial election in Abia State was a battle between a political criminal cabal that has impoverished the people and Abians themselves.

”That is why Abians christened 18 March 2023 as Abia State’s “Independence Day”. The day Abians defeated the political criminal cabal that had held the people hostage, hijacked our commonwealth and impoverished the masses, the group claimed”.

The group said the Kano Court judgement was dead on arrival and therefore a storm in a teacup that should not be given a life it does not have.

It said that the mandate given to Otti by the Abia masses is safe and secure and can never be stolen by strange usurpers who are pained and frightened by the reality of their imminent exit from power in the next few days.

The group warned the judiciary to henceforth refrain from entertaining ill-conceived suits that are clearly designed to embarrass it and should not allow itself to be used to destroy the peace of the state or put it in harm’s way.

“We demand an immediate end to mischief-making and all acts that are capable of hurting Abia’s democratic journey by the soon-to-expire gang of political profiteers, else they would have the full wrath of highly inflammable Abia masses to contend with.”