LG Elections: Prof Ohia Urges Otti to Emulate ex Gov Kalu’s total autonomy

Emmanuel Ohia, a professor of political science has urged Governor Alex Otti of Abia state to emulate ex-Governor Orji Uzor Kalu( 1999-2007) in conducting the local government elections following Supreme Court judgement on local governments autonomy

This is even as he chided Otti against attacking his immediate predecessor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu on what he referred to as “unnecessary provocations”.

Ohia made the remark on Tuesday in his Ngwa residence while addressing newsmen on the affairs of the state.

He cautioned that repeatedly calling out Ikpeazu is not part of the expectations of Abians who voted for him in the last general election.

He however noted that Otti’s performance in one year was a pointer that his administration is filled with insincerity and calculated deceit.

He added that Otti’s true nature would be fully revealed in the coming months as Supreme Court has granted all local government areas autonomy.

He pointed out that issues of insecurity, dictatorship and massive corruption in Otti’s administration need to be addressed before it becomes late.

“It is too early to give a conclusion on Gov. Otti’s administration, but I can say that from what he has done in one year, he has performed below expectations in some areas. We expected him to give the local governments autonomy by conducting elections since last year which he never did. If the Supreme Court did not give a judgement on local government autonomy, Otti wouldn’t have ever considered conducting elections.

“So it’s dissatisfying to see him criticizing his immediate predecessor for not conducting local government elections. All he has been doing is to criticize his predecessor.

Ohia further said , “ The Governor should emulate Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s peaceful and respectful approach to his predecessor and successors . You will never find him making careless statements about his predecessor or successors . When he was governor he gave the local governments total autonomy . He conducted very free and fair elections such that other political parties won Counselorships and local government chairmanships.

“In Umuahia south local government area, Dr Ndukwe Adindu of ANNP won, and other parties that weren’t that of Kalu’s party also won their elections. So I hope Gov Otti can emulate him and conduct very free and fair elections for the local governments.

“It is an unnecessary provocation to leave your administrative duties to attack a man who peacefully handed over power to you and allowed you to govern without criticism” the erudite professor warned.