Alex Otti Welcomes Iheanacho Nwogu, Fyne Ahuama to Labour Party
It was jubilation galore as top government officials, notable Labour Party chieftains, captains of industry, the clergy, traditional rulers and the entire people of Osisioma Ngwa local government area of Abia State turned out in their numbers to witness the special reception of the member representing Osisioma Ngwa North State Constituency, Hon. Iheanacho Nwogu and his Osisioma Ngwa South counterpart, Hon. Fyne Ahuama to the ruling Labour Party (LP) in Abia State.
The historic event held at Ngwa High School, Aba on Friday, July 12, 2024.
In their separate speeches, the two former members of Young Progressives Party (YPP) representing Osisioma Ngwa North State Constituency and Osisioma Ngwa South State Constituency respectively said that the monumental achievements of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) in different parts of Abia State, especially, Osisioma Ngwa within his one year in office made them to dump their party and joined the Labour Party.
They described Osisioma as the gateway to Aba stressing that they were not going to stay in Osisioma and watch development in Aba pass them by without first experiencing it in Osisioma.
The duo promised to strengthen the Labour Party at the grassroots to ensure astronomical increase of its membership.
They stated that they were highly impressed with the way things were moving in Abia State under Dr. Alex Chioma Otti and concluded that it was only imperative for them to join the moving train.
They appreciated Dr. Alex Otti and the entire members of the Labour Party in the state for receiving them into the party and promised not to disappoint their expectations.
In his address, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti assured Hon. Iheanacho Nwogu, the member representing Osisioma Ngwa North State Constituency and his Osisioma Ngwa South counterpart, Hon. Fyne Ahuama of a level playing ground in the party.
He said that they had been working with his government right from inception and did not join the party for any other reason except their belief in good governance as exemplified by the ruling Labour Party in Abia State.
The Governor used the occasion to reaffirm and reassure the people that under his watch, public funds would not be shared with anybody but would be used to work for the collective good of all through the provision of basic amenities and empowerment programmes that will benefit everybody.
He announced that a five-star hotel and an International Conference Centre would be built in Aba in the next twenty four months to further boost the economy of the state.
Dr. Alex Chioma Otti expressed great disappointment with the slow pace of work at the Osisioma-NNPC-Ekeakpara Road and directed the Commissioner for Works to summon the contractor to ensure he meets the expected deadline.
The event featured the presentation of the party flag to the lawmakers by the National Vice Chairman of Labour Party, Southeast zone, Elder Ceekay Igara who encouraged them to bring more members into the Labour Party.
The event attracted the presence of the Deputy Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Nmeregini (Ugolee), the Mayor of Osisioma Ngwa LGA, Engr. Israel Nweke, the Mayor of Aba South, Hon. Chief Uche Wogu, the chairman, Osisioma Ngwa Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Chidi Nkoro (KSC, JP), the chairman, Stakeholders of Labour Party, Osisioma, Sir G. O. C. Kanu (JP), Engr. Emma Maduforo Ufomba, HRH Eze Blessing Ekpendu (Deputy Chairman, Osisioma Ngwa Council of Traditional Rulers), HRH Eze John Chimezie Azuh among other notable dignitaries.
At the end, the following personalities bared their mind on the event in a chat with newsmen. Excerpts.
Engr. Israel Nweke
(Mayor, Osisioma Ngwa LGA)
Sir, let us meet you.
I am Engr. Israel Nweke. I am the Mayor of Osisioma Ngwa LGA.
Mayor, you are looking so happy and radiant today. What is the secret?
Yes, I am so happy today because we received two of our brothers (Hon. Iheanacho Nwogu and Hon. Fyne Ahuama) representing us in Abia State House of Assembly into the Labour Party. That means they have signed up for the New Abia Agenda of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR). So, I am happy because the membership of the New Abia Agenda is swelling up and with the coming in of these two legislators into the Labour Party, it would help us to drive the New Abia Agenda to greater height, especially from the legislative point of view.
What do you think is their major reason for joining the Labour Party?
They said that the work of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) is compelling. Even though they have been supporting from afar but now, they want to support from within and that is why they have come in fully to identify with the New Abia Agenda.
What is your message to the prominent sons and daughters of Osisioma Ngwa who are still in other parties?
We are telling them to come and join us like the two honourable members who have come out openly today and joined us. I can tell you that the whole of Osisioma Ngwa is in support of Dr. Alex Otti’s administration but the only thing is for them to fully identify with us by coming into the Labour Party. But if they are supporting from afar, we are grateful for their support but we would prefer their joining us.
To what extent has Osisioma Ngwa benefitted from Dr. Alex Otti’s administration?
The answer to your question is very obvious, even to the blind and very loud to the deaf. Frankly speaking, Osisioma Ngwa is the number one beneficiary of Dr. Alex Otti’s Impactful administration. Is it the Geometric Power Plant, the underground drainage or the reconstruction of Osisioma-NNPC-
Ekeakpara Road or the duly commissioned Green Avenue, Udeagbala, Umueze-ABSUTH Roads? Like I told you, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti loves Osisioma Ngwa with passion and the work he is doing is marvelous. I think we are the most favoured among the seventeen local government areas of the state.
What is your charge to Hon. Iheanacho Nwogu and Hon. Fyne Ahuama?
What else would I tell them. Like they said, they are coming to support Dr. Alex Chioma Otti to strengthen the party in order to actualize his New Abia Agenda. So, we are happy to welcome them into the Labour Party. With their entry into the Labour Party, Osisioma Ngwa is now fully ‘Ottified’.
Sir Godfrey Ogbonna C. Kanu, JP (Chairman, Stakeholders, Labour Party, Osisioma Ngwa)
Sir, how do you feel about the reception of the two YPP House of Assembly members into Labour Party today?
Every right thinking person in Abia State will join the Labour Party and I think our brothers, Hon. Iheanacho Nwogu, the member representing Osisioma Ngwa North State Constituency and his Osisioma Ngwa South counterpart, Hon. Fyne Ahuama have taken a very fine decision today by joining the Labour Party. I think they have realized that this is where they should rightly belong. So we are very happy to welcome them into our fold today.
What do you expect from them?
Hon. Iheanacho Nwogu and Hon. Fyne Ahuama should help us with their position to energize Labour Party in Osisioma Ngwa. I am from Osisioma Ngwa North State Constituency. We would rally round Hon. Iheanacho Nwogu to take the Labour Party to the point we want it to be. He has to turn the whole of Osisioma Ngwa North into Labour Party. It is not one person’s journey but he is the focal point. The same thing applies to Hon. Fyne Ahuama. I think he knows what to do. Both of them have the materials we need and I want to assure you before 2027, the whole of Osisioma Ngwa would be talking nothing else but Labour Party.
Chima Oriaku
(Hon. Commissioner for Science and Technology, Abia State)
How do you feel receiving two YPP House members into the Labour Party (LP) today?
When you look at my face, you would see that I am happy. So, it is a thing of joy, unity and a remarkable development in the political landscape of Osisioma Ngwa and that is to tell you that the Labour Party has taken over in Osisioma Ngwa, one hundred percent. So, I am happy, indeed, to witness the special reception of the member representing Osisioma Ngwa North State Constituency, Hon. Iheanacho Nwogu and the member representing Osisioma Ngwa South State Constituency, Hon. Fyne Ahuama.
What do you expect from them?
They should know that a house is already in existence and all we expect from them is cooperation in order to build a formidable Labour Party. Like I said earlier, Osisioma is now taken over by the Labour Party, so it is left for us to concretize our plans for 2027. Quote me, by the grace of God, come 2027, no vote, I mean, one vote can go to any other party in Osisioma Ngwa.
Do you think Dr. Alex Otti has done so well in Osisioma Ngwa?
Dr. Alex Otti is my boss and he is so passionate about transforming Osisioma Ngwa to greater height. Without fear of contradiction, Osisioma Ngwa has benefitted so much from his infrastructural development of the state. If you look at the number of roads he has done in Abia State, Osisioma Ngwa has gotten, at least, so much that we are grateful to His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti for all he has done for us. But like Oliver Twist we are appealing to him to look into our rural roads. If the rural roads are made motorable, the farmers would not find it difficult to convey their farm products to the city, thus reducing the food crisis in the nation. I want to use this opportunity to thank Dr. Alex Otti for flagging off the reconstruction of Osisioma – Ekeakpara Road and Abayi – Ariaria Road. Both roads are very important to the socio-economic activities of Osisioma Ngwa and the entire state. The people of Osisioma Ngwa are indeed very grateful to Dr. Alex Otti and we pray that God would give him more anointing to take Osisioma Ngwa and indeed, Abia State to greater height.
Pst. Okorougo Aji
(Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands and Housing)
How do you feel receiving two YPP House members into Labour Party today here in Osisioma Ngwa?
Every right thinking person in Osisioma Ngwa in particular and Abia State at large should be happy for what happened today here at Ngwa High School, Aba. The special reception of our two brothers from YPP into the Labour Party is a sign that His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti is driving the state towards the right direction. So, we are very happy.
What do you expect from them?
The duo has their own people, crowd and followers. So, what we expect from them is a synergy with the people that are already in the party and when they work together, honestly, it is going to yield huge dividends for Osisioma Ngwa and Abia State come 2027.
What is the secret behind their joining the Labour Party?
The secret is very glaring. Dr. Alex Otti is doing what he knows how best to do. You can see his giant strides in different parts of Abia State – Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South. What is going on now in Abia State is a model for other states to emulate. Someone cracked a joke recently, saying that other governors in Nigeria should go to Abia State and learn how things are being done. So, with what Dr. Alex Otti is doing, every right thinking person would want to join the moving train.
What do you expect from Hon. Iheanacho Nwogu and Hon. Fyne Ahuama?
We expect total support from them. Labour is the party to beat this time. So, they have taken a wise decision to follow who know road. Dr. Alex Otti knows the road that is why we are following him. He has so many good plans for the state. As a matter of fact, Osisioma Ngwa has benefitted immensely from the largesse of Dr. Alex Otti by the grace of God. When you talk about road construction and rehabilitation, you can say that he is now trying to open up everywhere. The greatest of all, happens to be the Osisioma – Ekeakpara Road, which we all know how bad it had been over a decade. Look at Port Harcourt Road, it has been down for almost 20 years but today he has done it. Besides, feeder roads are springing up here and there in Osisioma Ngwa. So, I really applaud his giant strides. Dr. Alex Chioma Otti is really in a hurry to develop Abia State.
HRH Eze Blessing Ekpendu (The Eku 1 of Ibeku Ngwa autonomous community, Osisioma Ngwa/Deputy Chairman, Osisioma Ngwa Council of Traditional Rulers)
The people of Osisioma Ngwa are very happy with His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti for his developmental strides in the state, especially in Osisioma Ngwa. He has wiped away our tears and given us hope to rejoice. His administration is second to none. Look at Osisioma-NNPC-Ekeakpara Road that was neglected for over ten years, work is on-going there. Look at Port Harcourt Road that was abandoned for over twenty years. As soon as he came on board, he awarded the contract to Julius Berger, a reputable construction company. The first phase has been completed while the second phase is on-going. He has equally restored night life in Aba with his Operation Light up Aba Project. Light has indeed, come to Abia State. It shall be well with Dr. Alex Otti. He would go back for another four years in 2027 because the reward for good work is more work. Our prayer is that God would grant him long life, good health and wisdom as he pilots the affairs of Abia State to greater height.
Hon. Ijioma Okey
(Deputy Chairman of Labour Party, Abia State/Zonal Chairman, Abia North)
How do you feel receiving two House members of YPP from Osisioma Ngwa into the Labour Party today?
It is great. We are happy about it. Politics is about number. Their presence in Labour Party has given us numerical strength in the State House of Assembly. After, the 2023 election, it was very contentious whether the Labour Party had the majority in the State House of Assembly or not. So with them joining the Labour Party, we now have a comfortable majority to push up our bills and assist our performing Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) in transforming the state.
What do you expect from them?
We expect that they would bring their supporters and constituents into the Labour Party as well as their legislative expertise into governance. His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti accommodates different shades of healthy opinion. So I am sure they are going to make meaningful impact in the House of Assembly to enable the state move forward.
How do you feel about Dr. Alex Otti’s developmental strides in Aba and the entire state?
For the past twenty years, we saw how everything went and today everyone is happy with what Dr. Alex Otti is doing. Within his one year in office, we have witnessed dramatic changes from what the situation used to be. Roads are been built, villages are been opened, empowerments are been given, workers’ salaries are been paid and pensioners are receiving their dues. So, why won’t people be happy. I am not saying that he has gotten it one hundred percent but at least there is a marked difference between what we experienced in the past.
Uchenna Francis
(Labour Party member, Ward 7, Osisioma Ngwa)
My happiness is that our able Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti came himself to receive Hon. Iheanacho Nwogu and Hon. Fyne Ahuama into the Labour Party today at Ngwa High School, Aba. Dr. Alex Otti has done so many good things in Abia State. I was a member of YPP before I joined the Labour Party because of his good works in the state. Today, he has transformed Abia State. Aba is now very clean. We no longer see heaps of refuse in the city. He has reconstructed so many roads. If you are going to Umueze, you can go there from Ngwa High School, Aba without passing through Aba-Owerri Road. In fact, we are going to re-elect him in 2027 to complete his good works in the state. We, the people of Osisioma Ngwa South State Constituency are so happy because most of the things he has done in Osisioma is in the South. We know that he would also do the same in Osisioma Ngwa North. We are happy that is why we came out en masse to receive him. We urge our two House members who have joined the Labour Party to help him to further develop Osisioma Ngwa and other parts of the state.
