Many former Abia governors came to power through manipulation – Otti

 Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has said that his administration is resolute in ending corruption, divisive and clannish system of governance in the state.

This is even as he has declared that many of those who led the state in the past did not emerge through the popular will of the people, but through alleged electoral manipulation.

Governor Otti, who said this at Wesley Methodist Church, Umuekwule Afugiri, Umuahia, during the thanksgiving service for the successful burial of Mrs Victoria Nkolika Onwuneme, declared that going forward, leaders that will lead Abia State would emerge through the popular will of the people.

“For the first time in several years, the Abia people installed their own government. And I said it without any fear of contradiction because I am from here.

“I know that a lot of people who have sat on the seat that I am sitting now didn’t come through the ballot box but through manipulations.

“I believe that Abia people are now resolute in saying that enough was enough. Going forward, we have to install our leaders ourselves”, he declared.

The Governor, who was at the thanksgiving service with top members of his cabinet and some legislators, thanked the church for the prayers and support they were giving his administration.

He said that his administration was practicing good governance and ensuring equitable distribution of democracy dividends to all parts of the state.

He further said that his administration was not interested in state or local government of origin but believed that anybody who lives and pays their tax in the state is an Abian.

In his sermon, the priest in charge, Very Rev Ogbonnaya Orji encouraged the people to anchor their faith in God.