Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has disclosed why he refused to respond to the claim by the Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, that he(Otti) will be the last Governor of the Labour Party, LP, as the All Progressives Congress, APC, would take over the state in 2027.
This came as a chieftain of the APC in the state, Chief Okezie Usim,has warned members of the Labour Party, against attacking the deputy speaker.
Otti, who stated reasons for his silence over Kalu’s remark while briefing journalists at Government House Umuahia, explained that it would be foolhardy for him to predict the future, stressing that power belongs to God, not man.
He said; “It is foolhardy for me to be talking about what will happen tomorrow. I chose not to respond to Ben Kalu’s comment because I believe that power belongs to God, and He gives it to whom He wills. I am not competent to sit here and say what will happen in 2027. I do not subscribe to playing God.”
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the APC in the state, Hon. Okezie Usim, has sparked a new wave of controversy by carpeting critics of the Deputy Speaker’s claim that the APC will take over Abia government house in 2027.
The APC chieftain said the Deputy Speaker has been vindicated, following an interview granted by the Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Hon Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, where he declared that LP would take over power from the APC in Lagos in 2027.
Usim, who is the Acting APC chairman in Bende council area, queried the difference between the interview granted by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, where he said APC would take over power in Abia State and the interview granted in Umuahia by the Lagos LP governorship candidate, where he boldly declared to take over power from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu?
“Only a hypocrite would praise Hon Rhodes-Vivour for his assertion, but launch attack on Hon. Ben Kalu for making similar predictions.
“The attacks on the Number 6 citizen by LP were unwarranted, as they clearly exposed how hostile, bittered and intolerant the Labour Party government in Abia could be.
“When Rhodes-Vivour expressed desire to defeat and take over power in Lagos State, which is APC strongest hold, nobody called for his head, neither did anyone accuse him of saying the abominable.
“I didn’t see APC Lagos State drag him on social media. No media attack was launched against him for merely expressing his desires for Labour Party to take over Lagos Government house come 29th May 2027. Hell was not let loose on Rhodes-Vivour.
“However, Lagos APC and their supporters took it in good stride and completely ignored Rhodes-Vivour, because they understand that it is only based on performance and not social media propaganda or manipulation, for any party to win Lagos State. They are sure their Governor doesn’t need social media to tell lies about his achievement. But on the contrary, the Abia State Labour Party supporters, are always at war with anyone who says he is coming for power in 2027 in Abia state.
“On this premise, it becomes troubling, archaic and anti-democratic for Abia Labour party and their supporters to constantly fight unseen wars with anyone or group who expresses desire to take over from their LP Governor.
“Conversely, What is actually the sin of Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu in merely expressing his desires for his political party to replace the Governor in 2027? Why treat the two statements differently? When will Labour Party purge itself of this herd mentality and accept that others also have their constitutional rights, to as well express themselves?
“Like they say, “What is good for the goose,is also good for the gander. If Hon. Rhodes -Vivour, would be praised for supporting the Labour Party to take over Lagos State Government House, why won’t Hon Ben Kalu’s fearless claim of APC’s imminent victory in Abia State be commended.”
