A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Muh’d Yakubu, has called on the Federal Government and the national leadership of the party to fully support the APC in Abia State ahead of future elections.
He said the party needs strong backing from the centre to dislodge the current government in the state.
“President Tinubu and the APC must support the party in Abia State with everything it needs to defeat Governor Alex Otti.”
Yakubu said the belief among Labour Party supporters, popularly known as Obidients, that Abia and some other states are beyond the reach of the APC is misleading. According to him, the APC has the strength and capacity to win if properly supported.
“The Obidients think Abia, Lagos, and other South East states are untouchable by the APC, but that belief is wrong.”
He urged Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC leadership to strengthen the party’s structure in Abia, noting that the party already has grassroots presence and capable hands.
“APC has the machinery, the human resources at the grassroots, and the appeal to defeat Governor Otti.”
The APC chieftain criticised the administration of Alex Otti, alleging a lack of transparency in governance. He warned the President against relying on private assurances from the Abia governor.
“President Tinubu should not trust any private promise from Governor Otti. His government is not transparent. People like Governor Soludo openly spoke in support of the President. Can Governor Otti do it?”
He further claimed that Governor Otti is politically aligned with Rotimi Amaechi, whom he said has presidential ambitions in 2027.
“Governor Otti is deeply rooting for his friend, Rotimi Amaechi, to become President. Amaechi is his candidate in 2027. I challenge him to openly campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if he is truly with Mr President. He cannot do it because he is afraid of the attacks he will get from Peter Obi supporters, and his friend Rotimi Amaechi.”
Yakubu said “it is time for the APC to strengthen its grip on the South East”, stressing that Abia State must not be left in the hands of the opposition.
“It is time for the APC to have total control of the South East, and Abia State must be taken from the Labour Party. Therefore, the president, and the leadership of our party must fully support the party in Abia State to dislodge the Labour Party.”
