Politics
Labour Party Faction Mocks Gov Otti Over Comments Handing Over To Youths, Says Abia Gov Gave Ticket To 74-Year-Old Grandpa
The Abure faction of the Labour Party has mocked Governor Alex Otti over his deceptive comment to hand over power to youths.
A statement by Chief Emeh Ugoh, a chieftain of the party, on behalf the party, on Monday accused the governor of deception for promising to retire and hand over to the youths.
He specifically referenced a situation where the governor dropped a youth in Chinedu Onyeizu for a 70year old politician, Enyinnaya Abaribe for Abia South Senatorial District. This is the same person promising to hand over to the youths. Are these people well over 70 youths? It is pure deception by Otti.
David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex, a 74-year old “grandfather” was also given the ticket of the party for Abia North by Otti’s faction of the party.
“Let’s say for example in Abia North where he gave ticket to a 74 year old man, what is the man going to do with the ticket? What Otti did was simply to Favour his Arochukwu brother, Orji Uzor Kalu to win the election. We understand Aro doesn’t betray Aro, and we know that both Kalu and Otti are working together.
“He claims he is not working against President Tinubu, why can’t he come open and tell the world that he is an ally of Amaechi and working for the Atiku/Amaechi ticket. We know he can’t come open because he will face backlash from Peter Obi supporters. This is the characters we gave a platform in 2023 only to betray the party for their selfishness.
“If Governor Otti truly believes that the future belongs to the youths, he should explain why young people who have shown interest in elective positions are being pushed aside while politicians in their 70s are handed tickets. You cannot preach generational change on one hand and practise the opposite on the other. Abia youths are intelligent enough to see the contradiction.
“The governor should tell Abians exactly what he means by handing over to the youths. Is it only when he is done with power that the youths will suddenly become qualified to lead? Political inclusion should start now, from the choice of candidates and the opportunities given to younger members of the party. Anything short of that makes the promise of handing over to the youths look like another political statement designed to excite young people.”
“Abia youths should therefore ask serious questions. If those above 70 are repeatedly preferred for major political tickets, where exactly is the promised transition to a younger generation? Leadership opportunities cannot be reserved for the same political class while young people are only remembered when it is time for campaigns, rallies and voting.
“Governor Otti must match his statements with his political decisions. If he genuinely wants young people to take over leadership, his political structure should demonstrate that commitment by creating opportunities for them today. Otherwise, every speech about handing over to the youths will continue to attract questions about whether his actions are consistent with his words.”