The South East Progressives Assembly(SEPA), a socio-political group has challenged the defeated governorship candidate of the All Progressives Alliance(APGA) in Abia state, Alex Otti to prove his claim of Ngwa origin by jettisoning the idea of challenging the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Okezie Ikpeazu.
According to a statement signed by Ebere Uzoukwa and Comrade Munonye Maximus President and Secretary of SEPA respectively, the group posited that only Otti's support to Ikpeazu will exonerate him from the allegation that he is either a usurper who suddenly changed his Arochukwu origin to cheat Ngwa people and deny them the opportunity of producing the governor already zoned to them by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) or desperately seeking immunity to evade prosecution over alleged shoddy transactions while in Diamond bank as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.
SEPA also posited that Otti has the opportunity to prove that his ambition to govern Abia is expressly tied to the collective interest Ngwa people that have never produced the governor since the creation of the state.
The statement reads: "It is with great joy that the executive and members of South East Progressives Assembly(SEPA) congratulate Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Abia State Governor-Elect on his well deserved in the keenly contested governorship election of Abia state.
We graciously commend Abians for voting Dr. Ikpeazu of the PDP whose capacity to transform Abia is obviously not in doubt. Also worthy of commendation are the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) who displayed high level of professionalism especially during the April 25 rerun election.
May we remind the Governor-Elect Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu that expectations are very high especially as concerns to the rebuilding of the seemingly neglected Aba commercial city. The promises of regular and prompt payment of workers salaries, provision of quality and affordable healthcare services, good roads, infrastructural facilities and other social needs should be ultimately accorded the deserving priority immediately on assumption of office as Governor of Abia on May 29.
We also wish to commend the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA), Dr. Alex Otti for his resilience and fighting spirit which obviously have changed the political landscape of Abia state. Interestingly, Dr. Ikpeazu's victory has provided the needed opportunity for Otti to truly prove his hitherto claim of Ngwa origin to everyone. Rather than challenge the collective will of the people at the tribunal, we do expect him to support his brother Dr. Ikpeazu and contribute his quota in the task of rebuilding and restoring Abia on the path of economic growth and development. Anything aside this common expectation will give credence to our earlier position that the ex-Diamond bank chief is either a usurper who sacrilegiously abandoned his Arochukwu origin in Abia North to assume the 2015 governorship zoned to Ukwa-Ngwa nation in Abia South that controls 9 out of 17 local governments in Abia or one desperately seeking immunity to evade arrest and prosecution over his alleged shoddy transactions while in Diamond bank as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
On the other hand, we urge Abians to cooperate and support the incoming administration of Dr. Ikpeazu to enable him actualize the collective dream of building a better and prosperous Abia state".
