Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, yesterday left the capacity-filled auditorium of the Mater Dei Catholic Church, Umuahia, disappointed, as he chickened out of the governorship debate for candidates of the various political parties, in Abia State, organised by the church.
The Catholic debate, first of three debates lined up for Abia gubernatorial candidates by different groups, was attended by Dr. Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Uche Ogah, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the lone female candidate, Hon. Blessing Nwagba of the Socialists Democratic Party (SDP).
According to the organisers of the debate Justice, Development & Peace/Caritas (JDPC), all the candidates, including the governor, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), were duly written and invited for the debate.
Expectation was high amongst the audience that the debate was going to bring together the dramatis personae in the political race face-to-face and under one roof, to speak to the people. But Ikpeazu, the incumbent governor, chickened out as he failed to show up, leaving Dr. Alex Otti, Uche Ogah and Blessing Nwagba to slug it out.
“All the candidates were duly informed and at the appropriate time”, Rev. Father, Barrister David Aguneri, the Cathedral Administrator, told the audience. He added: “The governor sent an appeal that he did not get the information (about the debate) early”.
The governor’s excuse for shunning the debate, however, was seen as an afterthought. The debate moderator, prior to kicking off, had informed the audience that the programme was being broadcast live in the radio and therefore could not wait any longer for the governor who was being expected. He subsequently announced that the governor was going to join mid-way.
But rather than the presence of the governor, the audience and the organisers were taken aback when a group of vendors evaded the hall and brazenly distributed a propaganda publication featuring the governor’s activities in the last three and a half years in office. This created a lot of noise and distraction for the candidates who were dealing with questions on the dwindled state of Abia economy. It took the intervention of the Cathedral Administrator who screamed out loud to the intruders to “stop further distribution” of the magazine.
The candidates were asked questions on various issues affecting Abia State and how they intend to confront them and provide solutions. Questions were taken in the area of economy, non-payment of workers salaries and pensioners, unemployment, roads and other infrastructures, education, health and local government affairs.
APGA governorship candidate, Dr. Alex Otti, shone brilliantly in his response to the numerous questions thrown at him. Otti, according to the director media and publicity of Alex Otti Campaign organisation, Kazie Uko, told the audience that he was running for the office of the governor of Abia State because he wanted to lift the people out of poverty. He said that he had the requisite training, skill and knowledge to be able to achieve his objective.
Otti promised that he would create the enabling environment for the economy of Abia State to grow and flourish, through the provision of basic infrastructures, cleaning up the environment, prompt payment of salaries and pensions and security.
Asked how he intended to raise funds to fulfil his promises, Otti, an economist and noteworthy former bank chief executive replied: “It’s not a problem sourcing funds to execute the projects because I know where the monies are and how to raise them”. He said that he had the network and goodwill to attract such funds and investment.
On education, he said that his government would return all Mission schools taken over by government to their original owners, within 90 days of assumption of office. Such schools, he said, would be supported by government funding until they stabilise and able to run on their own without further government subvention. He also pledged to pay attention to teachers training and welfare, as well as improve on the curriculum.