The family of late Dr. Michael Okpara, former Premier of the former Eastern Nigeria, has publicly rejected a threat by three former Abia State governors to unseat the current governor, Alex Otti, asserting the people’s right to decide their leader. The statement, delivered by Okpara’s son, Uzodinma Okpara, in Umuahia on Wednesday, counters a joint declaration by ex-governors Orji Kalu, Theodore Orji, and Okezie Ikpeazu vowing to prevent Otti’s re-election.
Uzodinma Okpara argued that such political interference disregards the popular will. He urged Abia residents to rally behind Governor Otti, describing a state emerging from prolonged underdevelopment. His remarks were made during a press conference attended by local officials and federal lawmakers.
The Okpara family’s intervention directly addresses a key point of contention ahead of future elections. The former governors’ threat represents a significant challenge from within the state’s political establishment, highlighting intense intra-party dynamics.
In response to allegations that Otti’s administration inflates contract costs, Uzodinma called on critics to reconcile state revenue receipts with expenditure details before making accusations. He cited tangible improvements, contrasting the “heaps of refuse” that previously covered major towns like Umuahia and Aba with the current administration’s achievements in sanitation, infrastructure, and education.
The event included supportive statements from other political figures. Smart Iheoma, Chairman of Umuahia North Local Government Area, denied that Governor Otti was diverting funds meant for councils, insisting he must be held accountable for all local government allocations. Federal lawmaker representing Ikwuano/Umuahia, Obi Aguocha, echoed the sentiment, stating that the livelihoods of most Abia residents have improved under the Labour Party government.
This public defense of Governor Otti by the Okpara family, a lineage synonymous with regional history, adds a prominent voice to his re-election campaign. It frames the political contest as a choice between continuity of the current administration’s reforms and a return to previous governance models. The statements underscore a deepening narrative of accountability and development versus claims of political vendetta and fiscal mismanagement.
The significance of this development lies in its potential to influence voter sentiment in a state with a complex political landscape. As the next electoral cycle approaches, the clash between former power brokers and the incumbent, backed by traditional figures, will shape the discourse on Abia State’s trajectory. The focus now is on whether the tangible progress cited by supporters translates into sustained electoral support for Governor Otti.
