Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
A group known as Abia North Political group has adopted the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Abia State chief Alex Otti, as her preferred governorship candidate for the March 11, 2023 election.
The group led by chief Uduma Nnate, said the choice of Otti, was based on a search for a candidate who is dependable and capable of winning the election.
Nnate, in a statement on Wednesday revealed that the group was no longer comfortable with her earlier adoption of the candidate of the African Democratic Congress Bishop Sunday Onuoha, as consensus candidate.
He pointed out that Onuaha, who has been suspended by his party has not showed any seriousness of possible winning the election.
The statement, “This group has been at the forefront of promoting and encouraging aspirants from Abia North from different political parties till the conclusion of primaries.
“But after the Primaries, we discovered that 11 out of the 18 political parties gave their party governorship tickets to Abia North sons and daughters. It became obvious that as a people, we cannot go for the governorship election in 2023 with 11 Candidates at the same time and expect to win or miracle to happen.
“We had to setup a screening committee that among other things considered the chances, capacity, credibility, competence, political party, and individual contact network of the different candidates from Abia North and select one. Members of the committee were men and women of proven integrity drawn from the 5 LG s of Abia North as well as 5 Elders from Abia North for advisory and Concurrence.
“Key considerations for the committee was capacity, credibility, competence, sound health, political party and knowledge of good governance.
“Permit me at this juncture to state that before the inauguration of the screening committee and before the committee came out with their choice of candidate, many of our members/stakeholders were of the opinion that it was too early to select/pick a consensus candidate as there were still many court cases and still so much time to the election and that also many of the candidates were still hiding and wearing facade. However, the committee still went ahead, did it’s screening based on the facts and information presented to it by the Candidates.
“On October 24, 2022, the committee presented to Abians through an international press conference Bishop Sunday Onuoha of ADC as their Consensus Candidate.
“But since October 24, 2022 till date(about 2 weeks to the election), apart from pockets of endorsements from few organizations and groups, there is nothing on ground to show that Bishop Sunday Onuoha, is preparing for Governorship Election.
“He has no Campaign Office, No Campaign Vehicles, No Campaign Posters, No Campaign Billboards, No Campaign Council/team in the state, LGS, Wards and Polling units like others etc. And Election is Few days away.
“About a week ago, the State Chairman of ADC Comrd. Don Norman and his Exco in a Press conference, Suspended Bishop Sunday Onuoha from the party citing anti- party activities and same lack of preparedness as basis for his Suspension. The Exco even went ahead to appoint a new Governorship Candidate.
“In view of the above, as a proactive and sagacious Political think tank, the leadership of Abia North Political Projects Group, considers Bishop Sunday Onuoha, as no longer capable, competent and sellable to be our Consensus Candidate.
“It is on this note that we present to you Dr. Alex Otti of the Labour Party as our Consensus Candidate for the forthcoming Governorship election.
“He is a dependable man of Character most prepared to win the forthcoming Governorship election in Abia come March 11, 2023. He has no court cases with anyone in Labour Party and enjoying the Support of everyone in making sure he wins the Election.
“Our group and all men/women of Goodwill and good conscience in Abia State are poised to joining forces with Dr. Alex Otti OFR and his Campaign team to win the forthcoming Governorship election. We are also completely obedient”.