Political Storm in Abia as Old Bende Professionals Reject Otti’s 2027 Endorsement
- The Old Bende Young Professionals have rejected Hon. Mascot Ikwechegh’s claim of endorsing Gov. Alex Otti for a second term in 2027
- The group insists no stakeholder meeting was held and described the endorsement as unauthorized and politically misleading
- They called on Ikwechegh to focus on his legislative duties and urged traditional rulers to avoid being used in partisan politics
A political rift is brewing in Abia State following a public disavowal by stakeholders from the Old Bende zone, who have distanced themselves from claims that they have endorsed Governor Alex Otti for a second term in 2027.
The rebuttal came from a group known as the Old Bende Young Professionals, who issued a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, describing the endorsement announced by Hon. Mascot Ikwechegh, member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, as illegitimate and undemocratic.
Source: Facebook
According to the group, no meeting was ever held by stakeholders from Old Bende to deliberate on the 2027 governorship, let alone approve Otti's candidacy.
Otti not endorsed by group - leaders
The group’s leaders, President Barr. Chima Charles Ogbonnaya and Secretary Hon. Dike Chidozie Okwara, maintained that those involved in the endorsement lacked any mandate to speak or act on behalf of the Old Bende people.
“What happened in Hon. Ikwechegh’s sitting room is a parody of the absurd. It was premature and presumptuous. If it were in the military, all those who attended that circus show should have been court-martialed,” the statement read.
The group faulted Ikwechegh for abandoning his legislative duties to wade into a matter far outside his jurisdiction, insisting that the 2027 governorship race is not within his remit.
They further asserted that power rotation within Abia should place the governorship in Abia North, a part of Old Bende, in the next election cycle.
“Old Bende has so many sons and daughters who are qualified to run for Governor in 2027,” the statement noted.
Group warns against politicisation of traditionalists
The group also raised concerns over what they described as the manipulation of traditional rulers in the political process.
Source: Facebook
While acknowledging the economic hardships facing the nation, they warned royal fathers against compromising their roles by aligning with politicians for personal gain.
“While we acknowledge that there is hunger in the land, our traditional rulers should preserve their integrity and dignity by confining themselves to their cultural roles in society,” the statement added.
Why Tinubu should shun Gov Alex Otti - Orji
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Professor Moses A. Orji, a former ally of Governor Alex Otti, had urged President Tinubu to reject an alleged invitation to commission a single road project in Abia state.
In an open letter, Orji criticised the visit as politically motivated and accused Otti’s administration of engaging in propaganda and poor governance.
He raised concerns about abandoned projects, unpaid pensions, and the misuse of presidential presence for political optics.
Source: Legit.ng
