The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adolphus Wabara, has once again praised Governor Alex Otti for his good works, saying he’s rebuilding Abia after years of neglect.
The former Senate President, who spoke on Sunday at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, during the 80th Birthday Celebration of Dr Godswill Emelike Okoro, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) who served under the first tenure of the immediate past Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, said he was a citizen of Abia State before becoming a member of PDP.
In his words, “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 declared.
He jokingly called on the PDP leadership in the State to go on air to suspend Dr. Emelike Okoro, whom Governor Otti came to celebrate.
Sen. Wabara, who vowed that nobody could suspend him in the PDP for speaking the truth that everyone could see, declared that he would continue to appreciate Governor Otti for the good works he is doing.
“I will be one of those who will continue to appreciate you. I have not mentioned the Labour Party; I have always mentioned Governor Alex Otti. We are all with you,” the BOT chairman of PDP declared.
Sen. Wabara said that Governor Otti, who they never wanted to be governor, is the one recovering the state from the ruins of bad governance.
Also speaking, the birthday celebrant, Dr. Emelike Okoro, said that Governor Otti has brought a breath of fresh air to Abia State.
He commended the governor for the recent flag of the reconstruction of the Onuinyang-Oporoenyi Oboro Road traversing Bende LGA in the Abia North Zone of the State and Ikwuano LGA in the Abia Central Zone of the State, saying that it will greatly boost the agricultural sector of the State from that corridor.
Dr Okoro recalled what he told Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe when he came to seek his support for governorship, saying that he told him that he would not back him for governorship and that he should go back to the Senate and remain Nma Agha ndi Igbo (the sword of the Igbos).
He said that he was looking for a breath of fresh air. Looking at the governor, the octogenarian said, “Alex Otti, you have brought a breath of fresh air.”
Dr. Okoro said that one of the things that amazes him about Governor Otti is his accessibility, saying that he always answers his calls.
Recall that the Abia state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party had on Tuesday, February 9, 2025, suspended Sen. Wabara over anti-party activities.
The chairman of the party (PDP) in the state, Abraham Amah, disclosed this to the State Executive Committee in Umuahia, the state capital, on Tuesday.
He said Wabara was suspended for endorsing Governor Alex Otti for a second tenure barely five months into the governor’s administration in October 2023.
Amah said the party could not afford to be distracted by those who wear its badge but do not uphold the party’s values and, as well, those who are quick to compromise, sabotage and betray the principles it stands for.
But in a swift reaction, the national leadership of the PDP annulled the suspension, saying only it had the power to suspend national leaders like Wabara.
