You can expel me, I will continue to praise Otti, Wabara dares PDP
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolph Nwabara, has challenged the party to be prepared to expel him because he would not stop praising Governor Alex Otti of Abia State as far as the Governor continues to perform.
The former Senate President however drew the attention of those working to suspend him from PDP to note that he was commending Governor Otti for his stellar performance and not the Governor’s Labour Party.
Recall the Elder Ama Ibrahim-led Abia State Executive of PDP woke up recently to announce that they have suspended Wabara for alleged anti-party activity.
The Abia PDP charged Wabara for committing anti-party offence by allegedly endorsing Governor Otti for a second term. Wabara had commended Governor Otti for his developmental strides, saying he was laying the foundation for his second term.
However, the National Working Committee of PDP quashed Wabara’s suspension, describing it as illegal.
But Speaking on Sunday during the 80th birthday celebration of a former Secretary to Abia State Government (SSG), Dr Eme Okoro, at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, Wabara vowed to continue to the Abia Governor if he continues doing well.
According to Wabara, he ws first, a citizen of Abia before becoming a PDP member.
“Before becoming a PDP card-carrying member, before becoming an NRC card-carrying member in this State, I, Adolphus Nduneweh Wabara, was first and foremost a citizen of Abia.
“Politics ends after campaigns, after elections and then you start thinking of governance. Even a blind man can see what is happening in Abia! And, I am saying it again! Maybe now since they said I was suspended, they can now expel me.
“But, having said so, sir, continue with the works; our ancestors in Abia are with you”, Senator Wabara said.
He jokingly called on the PDP leadership in the State to go on air the next day to suspend Dr. Eme Okoro, whom Governor Otti came to celebrate.
PDP BoT Chairman told his adversaries that nobody can suspend him from PDP for speaking the truth which everyone could see, stressing that he would continue to appreciate Governor Otti for the good works he was doing.
“I will be one of those who will continue to appreciate you. I have not mentioned Labour Party; I have always mentioned Governor Alex Otti. We are all with you,” he said.
Sen. Wabara said that Governor Otti who “they” never wanted to be Governor was the one now recovering the State from the ruins of bad governance.
Also speaking, the celebrant, Dr. Eme Okoro, said that Governor Otti has brought a fresh air to Abia State. He commended the Governor for the recent flag of the reconstruction of Onuinyang-Oporoenyi Oboro road which traverses Bende LGA in Abia North Zone of the State and Ikwuano LGA in Abia Central Zone, saying that it would greatly boost the agricultural sector of the State.
Dr. Okoro recalled that during the 2023 general elections, he had told Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe when he came to seek his support for the governorship position that he (Abaribe)him that he would not back him for governorship and that he should go back to the Senate and remain Nma Agha ndi Igbo (sword of the Igbos).
He told Abaribe that he (Dr. Eme Okror) was looking for a breath of fresh air.
T he octogenarian looked at the Governor and said: “Alex Otti, you have brought a breath of fresh air,” adding that one of the amazing things about the Governor “is his accessibility, saying that he always answers his calls.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Otti, congratulated Dr. Eme Okoro on his 80th birthday, saying that he has turned “80 years younger.” Governor Otti explained that his relationship with Dr. Okoro transcends politics, saying that Dr. Eme Okoro was like a father and mentor to him.
The Governor restated that his administration does not tolerate any form of segregation, maintaining his stand that so long as anyone lives in Abia and does the things expected of a citizen, the person is from Abia.
He described Abians as people of excellence and called on those living on primordial sentiments to wake up and embrace the new Abia anchored on excellence, capacity, competence, equity, among others, which his administration was building.
Governor Otti, who called for a return to the culture of respect for the elders, which the Igbos were known for, warned those insulting elders in the name of politics or whatever reason to desist from doing because of its ugly repercussion.
Governor Otti said that it was in the spirit of respecting the elders that he attended the birthday celebration of Dr. Okoro and would continue to do so for others, irrespective of party affiliation.
