•Governor Alex Otti of Abia State (left)
Abia State governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti has asked state government agencies not to stop opposition parties from using public facilities in the state during their political rallies.
Speaking during the flag off of the Labour Party (LP) 2027 campaign in Umuahia yesterday, Otti insisted that opposition parties have right to use public facilities, adding that they are free to use the stadium or any public building during their campaigns, reports Daily Independent.
He urged state officials not to disrupt their activities provided that they obtain necessary approvals and comply with laid down rules.
His word, “I have since given a public directive, and I’m repeating it here, that opposition parties should not be restricted from the use of our facilities including stadia, once they apply and obtain the necessary approvals”.
According to the Abia governor, government officials should not assume that membership of the ruling party should confer immunity for acts capable of undermining the democratic process.
He therefore warned, “You don’t have my mandate to attack people or to stop people from campaigning.
“Security agencies have been mandated to arrest and deal decisively with anyone who attempts to obstruct any political group from holding their legitimate activities, even if they are Labour Party members. I hope I’m heard clearly”.
The colourful Labour Party campaign kick off yesterday was an event that saw the three candidates from the three Senatorial districts, eight House of Representatives candidates, and the 24 House of Assembly candidates of the party symbolically given the LP’s flag for the 2027 general elections.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the party, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman has described Governor Otti as the best performing governor in Nigeria, and called the Abia electorates to re-elect him in February 6, 2927 poll.
Usman who was represented urged the people of the state to also elect all LP candidates in the coming polls.
Governor Alex Otti will be running with his Deputy, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu while the Director General of the Abia State Labour Party Campaign Council is Rt Hon Agwu U Agwu.
