‘Withdrawal of market management list shows Otti’s ill-prepared for leadership’

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State, Chief Emmanuel Kamsiyochukwu, has said there has been slow pace of governance, executive recklessness and policy somersaults that have characterised the Alex Otti administration in the state.

He added that such once again reared its ugly head on Wednesday, 21 June 21, when, less than 24 hours to the inauguration of a new set of market committee executive appointed for major markets in Abia, the list was withdrawn  by Governor Alex Otti, was withdrawn.

In a statement, Kamsiyochukwu said, “it was even more worrisome that the government press release announcing the withdrawal gave no reason for the sudden action other than to say that the list had been withdrawn and that a new date for inauguration would be ‘announced in due course’.

“This was for a list of over 230 committees members appointed by the governor to oversee activities in 17 of the state’s major markets,” he emphasised.

“We understand that the reason for the hurried withdrawal of the list and cancellation of the planned inauguration just after 24 hours after it was announced was because the Otti administration did not consult widely with stakeholders and that the committee members were hastily appointed just to satisfy the whimsies and caprices of certain few individuals led by the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu.

“Emetu, our investigations reveal, is working in cahoots with Otti’s friends and associates who, like Otti, lack any public sector administration experience and most of whom were not based in Abia but had always lived in Lagos, Abuja and such other cities, thereby causing the now seemingly intractable confusion in our dear state.

“Recall that we had earlier raised the alarm of how mere aides of Otti who lack any executive powers, having not been confirmed by the state’s legislature, have been occupying offices meant for full-fledged commissioners, summoning and issuing directives to Permanent Secretaries and Directors of the various ministries. This is unheard of in Abia State and an indication that Abia is being speedily pushed to the precipice of tyranny and dictatorship.

“The above and many other dangerous factors already playing out so early are copious instances affirming our fears from the outset that Alex Otti is ill-prepared for governance.”