A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Ebere Uzoukwa, has strongly condemned a media attack launched against Dr. Alex Otti, governorship candidate of APGA in the February 2019 election, by one of the media aides of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who is equally seeking reelection.

Uzoukwa, who made the condemnation in a statement issued on Thursday in Aba, noted that “elections are not won on the viciousness of verbal attacks as it has unwholesomely become a campaign tool for the Government of Abia State and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)”.

Describing Dr. Otti as the most popular and the right man with the capacity to reposition Abia, Uzoukwa said: “I am confident that Abians will definitely do the needful by critically assessing the government in power within the context of its achievements; study the antecedents and character of the competing candidates to enable them vote wisely in 2019. That Team Alex Otti shall always remind them the need to change the present but dangerous trend via democratic means and by voting into power a competent and purposeful government than can rightly formulate the appropriate policies, create the framework and design people-oriented programmes.

“Dr. Alex Otti’s resolve to offer himself again to Abians after the wicked manipulations and violent malpractices that denied him the mandate freely expressed by Abia electorate in 2015 is a direct and patriotic response to the ceaseless yearning of Abians and residents for a change. Abia State needs real change and not the one based on empty sloganeering, false promises and deceit. Abia people are yearning for a change that is real, tangible, purposeful and sustainable. A change that is verifiably defined with deliverables and structured agenda which Dr. Alex Otti OFR offers to Ndi Abia.”

Uzoukwa also described Dr. Otti as an illustrious son of Abia and a well respected Nigerian who was able to prove his leadership capacity beyond doubt while in the banking sector before resigning honourably to serve his people.

His words: “Dr. Alex Otti, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Governorship Candidate for Abia State is a well known and respected Nigerian whose record of achievements and antecedent ‘earmarked’ as a role model to many Nigeria and Abia youths. It is morally wrong and uncharitable to vilify such an illustrious son with towering reputation and excellent credentials on the basis of politics for mere resigning from the banking job as Group Managing Director/CEO of Diamond Bank Plc, having actualising his personal dreams and goals, to devote his energy and resources towards serving his people in the area of governance.

“He should be rather applauded and supported in his renewed desire and crusade divinely aimed at midwifing a better Abia in 2019. Those attacking him ought to have known before now that campaign of calumny orchestrated to smear Dr. Otti’s character as resorted by the Government of Abia State and other competing political camps will definitely not erase his enviable record as evidently documented in the history books.”

Uzoukwa, who recently defected from PDP, urged politicians and their aides not to resort to campaigns of calumny apparently to tarnish the image of their opponents, but should sell their respective candidates to the electorate by adhering to issue-based campaign.