Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has declared that the era of stifling opposition and political profiteering in the state is gone.
The governor stated this during the flag-off of his re-election campaign at the Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia, the capital of Abia on Sunday.
Otti declared that after several years of man-made hardship and punishment inflicted on the people of Abia, and his repeated attempts to rescue the state in 2015 and 2019, the siege on Abia was eventually broken in 2023.
He said, "We ended the era of political profiteers. We defied intimidation to liberate Abia and break Abia from the era of siege. Never shall we go back to the era of irresponsibility. Nothing will make us go back to Egypt."
Recalling the ordeals endured by Abians in their quest to liberate the state from the shackles of bad leadership, particularly the experiences of those whose properties were demolished on account of their political affiliations, Governor Otti declared: "Never again will anyone's fence be pulled down on account of political choices. I declare Abia free.
"The only battle worth fighting is the one geared towards leaving Abia better than I met it, and I enjoin you to join me as we continue to fight that fight. I appeal to you to join me in fighting that battle in the next four years in order to consolidate our records of performance.
"We have invested billions of naira in revitalising tertiary education through investments in Abia State University, Uturu, and Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba. We have also invested heavily in reviving ailing industries in Aba and supported the growth of SMEs across the state. Agriculture has not been left out, as we have made significant investments to ensure food sufficiency in the state.
"Above all, I have restored the dignity of Abians. Abians are now proud to participate in development conversations in circles where such discussions take place. We, therefore, urge you to vote for the Labour Party all the way in all elective positions in the coming general elections."
He accordingly directed all state functionaries to make public facilities available to any political party or candidate seeking to use them for campaign activities, provided the requisite fees are paid and the applicable regulations are duly observed.
'I won't allow political persecution in Abia' - Otti