Alex Otti Returns in the Guber Race.

 Former Managing Director of the defunct Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti has formally declared his intention to contest for Abia State governorship in 2023 general elections.

Otti, who made his intentions known on Sunday in Umuahia the state capital, said his declaration which coincided with the Easter celebration, would mark the end of the crucification of the state.

He alleged that the economic woes of the state stems from the choice of bad leaders foisted on the people of the state by the political class.

He revealed that his quest to change the political trajectory of the state informed his decision to leave his flourishing banking career as a managing director to join politics in 2013.

Otti added that he is not deterred by the challenges of his past efforts to transform the state because Abia is still lagging behind among many states in country in terms of development.

He said, “We have resolved to bring change to Abia State by pursuing a clear economic polices that will bring prosperity to Abians.

“We plan to reduce the unemployment rate of the state which is currently 53% above the 31% national average by restoring moribund industries in the state and building new ones.

It will be recalled that Otti first sought to govern the state in 2015 where he squared up in a keenly contested election with the present governor of the State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu under All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

Ikpeazu was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

But in December, 2015, an Appeal Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State nullified the election and declared Otti the winner of April, 2015 governorship election

But eventually the Supreme Court quashed the judgement and upheld the Ikpeazu’s election as governor.

Similarly in 2019, Otti also contested the election and lost out to Ikpeazu.

Shortly after the election, Otti defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC on which platform he would be seeking the mandate of the people of the State.

#Abia2023

Ekwueme, David Osinachi

For WayOfLife Publishers.