The Labour Party’s governorship candidate for Abia State, Alex Otti, has pledged to clear all outstanding workers’ salaries and pensions by the end of December 2023 if he is elected governor. Speaking at an interactive session in Uzuakoli, Bende Local Government Area, Otti—a well‑known banker and economist—addressed members of his support group and lamented that the Peoples Democratic Party‑led administration has left workers and retirees with months of unpaid salaries and pension arrears.
Otti disclosed that state‑employed medical doctors have recently begun an indefinite strike over salary arrears exceeding 25 months. He expressed regret that Uzuakoli, a prominent community in the state, has been deliberately underdeveloped by successive governments. He promised that, under his governorship, Uzuakoli would become a source of pride as he works to implement the town’s masterplan, which has long remained on the shelf.
“We are not going back on our campaign promise to rebuild Abia’s economy through industrialisation, wealth creation, job generation, and the improvement of civil‑service human capital,” Otti said. “We will pay all outstanding salaries and pensions before the end of December 2023.” He urged supporters not to be discouraged by the unresolved declaration of Peter Obi as the winner of the February 25, 2023 presidential election, noting that Obi has pledged to reclaim his mandate and has a history of doing so.
The economist called on Abians to turn out in large numbers to vote for the Labour Party in the March 11, 2023 governorship and State Assembly elections. “When we do this, we will have redeemed our state from those who have underdeveloped it for 24 years and will begin the process of restoration and redevelopment,” he promised.
Otti’s Labour Party previously won six of the eight federal constituency seats and one of the three senatorial seats in the February 25 National Assembly election. Earlier in his remarks, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha, convener of the Alex Otti Support Group, announced that the communities represented by the group have resolved to vote exclusively for Otti and the Labour Party Bende South House of Assembly candidate, Chijioke Nwankwo, in the March 11, 2023 elections.
Comments are closed for this story.