Ex Abia Leaders Plan Legal Action Against Otti Endorse Tinubu for Second Term
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
Former political office holders in Abia State have resolved to institute legal action seeking to compel Governor Alex Otti to relocate from his private residence to the Government House in Umuahia, the constitutional seat of government.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued on Friday in Umuahia at the end of the second meeting of the group known as “The Team”. The communiqué was signed by former Governor Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as chairman, Senator Theodore Orji as first vice chairman, and former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as second vice chairman.
The meeting also resolved to expand the membership of the group to include individuals who held political offices in the state between 2009 and 2023. The communiqué, which was read by Professor Victor Oye, further announced the group’s decision to adopt President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
According to the communiqué, the group unanimously endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in office and pledged to work towards securing the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats for the All Progressives Congress in 2027. Members were urged to strengthen internal cohesion, set aside grievances and work collectively towards the objectives of the group.
The communiqué also announced the constitution of a technical committee chaired by Professor A C B Agbazure, with Don Ubani as secretary, alongside one representative from each of the 17 local government areas of the state. The committee was mandated to initiate legal proceedings to compel Governor Otti to conduct official state business from the Government House in Umuahia rather than from his residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.
In addition, the group commended President Gholam Ahmed on the appointment of one of its members, former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, as an ambassador. The technical committee was further tasked with advising the group on the scheduling of subsequent meetings.
A motion for the adoption of the communiqué was moved by a former member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Obinna Ekeke, and seconded by a former chairman of Ukwa West Local Government Area, Uzoroma Nwachi. The motion was subsequently put to a voice vote by a former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Chinedum Orji.