Ceekay Igara, the National Vice Chairman (South East) of Labour Party, has warned that Governor Alex Otti’s leadership style risks taking Abia State back to the “inglorious PDP years,” a period he claims was marked by a lack of transparency and accountability in governance.
Igara criticised Governor Otti for allegedly disregarding the Labour Party’s core values of transparency and party leadership since taking office.
In an interview with Daily Independent, Igara discussed his grievances with Otti, describing what he sees as a pattern of autocratic leadership that has marginalised long-standing party members.
Igara emphasised that loyal party members who have supported and funded the Labour Party from its early days were not consulted on any of Otti’s appointments. “The party was only seen as useful for campaigns, elections, and validating results at tribunals, but was then discarded,” he stated.
He further elaborated: “We have been with the Labour Party from its inception, and we supported it long before others joined. Instead of working with us to build the party, they tried to drive us out. When we won the election in Abia State, none of us were consulted on any appointments, transitions—nothing. The party was completely ignored, and this was the root of our issues.”
Igara noted that initially, he and other party leaders urged patience, hoping that the governor would eventually engage them. However, he described being dismissed repeatedly when he presented proposals to support both the party and the state. According to him, matters came to a head when Otti, without consulting the Labour Party’s leadership, dissolved all levels of party governance. “We reminded him that he was elected to govern Abia, not to chair the party,” Igara remarked.
Igara also recounted a moment when he reminded Otti that, according to the Labour Party’s constitution, nominations are determined by the party, not by the governor. “He ignored this and appointed local government chairmen without involving us. We came through a democratic process and must promote transparency and integrity. Appointing cronies undermines the Labour Party’s credibility,” he asserted.
Following these developments, Igara reported the situation to the national leadership of the party. The party’s response was to form a local government election committee for 2024, chaired by Igara, to ensure transparent elections in Abia. He stated that this decision created further tensions between him and Otti’s administration.
Igara accused Governor Otti of “trying to bring back the PDP era in Abia,” where, he claims, due diligence and transparency were neglected. He emphasised that the Labour Party’s values of equal opportunity and social justice should prevail. “If the party wasn’t there in the first place, he wouldn’t have become governor. Let everyone participate,” he urged.
On specific areas where he believes Otti is replicating the PDP era, Igara cited the recent local government elections, alleging a lack of transparency in their conduct. “The entire process was shrouded in secrecy, and that’s not the right way to govern,” he said.
He also criticised the lack of transparency in government contracts. “The people of Abia should be informed about the costs of everything, including road construction. Even project quotations should be public to ensure transparency. Abians have a right to know how funds are being spent,” he added.
