Ex-commissioner to Tinubu: Save Abia from Otti’s divide and rule policy

Eze Chikamnayo, immediate-past commissioner for information and strategy in Abia, has asked President Bola Tinubu to intervene and save the state from the “thoughtless” policies of Alex Otti, the governor.

Chikamnayo said this in reaction to reports of Otti’s plan to officially announce Ide Udeagbala as mayor of Aba.

At an event on Sunday, the governor said the mayor of Aba does not need to come from the state, adding that as long as one has lived in the state for a while, that person is qualified.

In a statement on Monday, the former commissioner said Otti should not set the state on fire.

“By recklessly declaring that Aba is a NO MAN’S LAND, Mr Alex Otti is inadvertently setting Abia on fire and instigating avoidable unrest in that peaceful city,” he said.

“For reasons best known to him, he is ostensibly trying to stoke this fire of indigene – non indigene dichotomy to further insult the Ngwa Nation and polarize the polity.

“Maybe because of his inert desire to assuage his own internal contradictions that has made him a bipolar element with identity crisis hovering between Nvosi and Arochukwu, Otti is now drawing Abia State into needless ‘Katakata’ that will lead to loss of lives and property if not nipped in the bud.

“Since assuming office, Mr Alex Otti’s penchant for playing to the gallery is legendary.

“If he truly wants to patronize his fellow big men like Bordeaux, Udeagbala and Co, he must not reduce them to cannon fodders thereby setting them up against the people.

“I, therefore, wish to alert His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu and all the security agencies of this seed of discord which is being sown in Abia so that they can act quickly to prevent the consequences of Mr Alex Otti ‘s thoughtless policy of divide and rule.

“A stitch in time saves nine.”