2019 APGA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE GOES SPIRITUAL, …SAYS HE IS READY TO GO THROUGH ELECTION PROCESS

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for 2019 general election, Dr. Alex Otti on Sunday during a church service at the Mater Dei Catholic Cathedral Church, Umuahia, Abia State capital flagged off his gubernatorial campaign.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the weekend lifted ban on political campaigns for Governorship and House of Assembly candidates of various political parties.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the service Otti who stated that the theme of the 2019 campaign is “Enough is Enough” said noted that the state has gone through a lot of rot over the years especially in the last 16 years and stated that he is well prepared to face the task ahead.

Otti who said that he is coming to liberate the people of the state from the bondage that they have been tied to by incumbent governments in the state warned that gone are the days when people will write or manufacture poll results that doesn’t represent the wishes of the people.

According to Otti, “It is coincidental that the campaign is being flagged off on a Sunday. As a Christian I can worship anywhere.

“Today, I have chosen to worship in Catholic Church. My wife is a Catholic, so it is in keeping to the tradition of listening to our wives and that is why I am here at the Catholic Church to worship with them.

“I have released the first copy of my manifesto today. We came prepared. We want to develop the state to stop the things that are going on here. And the theme of our campaign is “Enough Is Enough”.

“We are telling Abia People that it is time we end all manner of ills that is going on in the state. We have gone through a lot of rot in this state and this time to bring the change and liberate our people from the bondage the bad leadership.

“We must do it this time around. Every hand must be on deck because we cannot continue like this. We are the worst state in Nigeria. There is nothing to show for the noise the present government in the state is making on the so-called projects that they have embarked on.

“Go through Abia, the roads are not motorable and we have money. So, it is not about money, but because the monies that come to that state are not being used for the purpose that it was intended.

“My message to Abia people is that we must all rise up and break this chain and say that enough is enough.

“If you have followed what happened in the last elections, you will know that the process of writing results cannot happen anymore.

“The issue of securing votes is also a collective responsibility. People are wiser now. What happened in 2015 cannot happen again.

“They (PDP) used impunity at that time to rig the election because they were at the center. Thank God that they are not at the center today, so I believe that it will not happen and people’s votes will be protected. We will do everything possible to ensure that the results that come from the polling units are the results that are declared.

“I was never afraid and will never be afraid. Our party not being at the center doesn’t matter. Our party wasn’t at the center when we won in Anambra. Our party wasn’t at the center when a couple of other parties won. What I believe is that with the process that has improved and with everybody’s eyes shining now, I believe that the things that happened in 2015 will not happen again.

“Abians should be vigilant, they shouldn’t be docile. They all come out and vote and stand there to ensure that votes are counted and results announced because at the end of the day, they will be the ultimate beneficiaries of our government.

“The government that we have had in the past is for godfathers and godson. We are coming with a government that will be for the people. So, people should come out and vote massively for us and ensure that voting process in their various polling units is concluded.”

Earlier in his homily the presiding priest, Rev. Fr. David Aguleri lamented lack of integrity and honesty among electorates and politicians. This is even as he warned that people who collect money before voting any politician to power do not have the moral right to demand for good governance.

Fr. Aguleri used the opportunity of the service to call on politicians to embrace the spirit of airplay, be peaceful, avoid shedding of blood and above all to allow the Will of God to prevail in their political pursuits.

Present at the service were Priscilla Otti, Hon. Ossy Prestige, member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Mrs. Uche Emeh, the deputy governorship candidate, state chairman of the party, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere among other APGA candidates and supporters.