2015: ABIA GUBERNATORIAL- ALEX OTTI IN IDENTITY CRISIS Abia Monarchs Divided Over Diamond Bank Boss, Alex Otti’s Governorship Ambition …Says He is Not An Ngwa Son Controversy has trailed the alleged governorship ambition of the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank PLC, Dr. Alex Otti. For months, rumours have been making the rounds in Abia political circles that Otti may throw his hat in the ring to contest for Abia state governorship position in 2015. The rumours which were being discussed in whispers have spread like wildfire since the top banker was conferred with a chieftaincy title of Ugwumba 1 of Ngwa land by ‘Ndi Eze Ala Ngwa’ (Traditional Rulers of Ngwa Land) at Umueleghele community in Isiala Ngwa council area last Friday. Pointblanknews gathered that Otti’s alleged governorship ambition has been greeted with controversy since it broke out because of the circumstances surrounding his origin. Otti is said to hail from Arochukwu in Abia North senatorial zone but his father settled in Umuru, Umuehim in Ehi Na Uguru Ancient community in Isiala Ngwa South council area in Abia Central senatorial zone. According to a resident of the Umuru Umuehim village who spoke to Pointblanknews at the venue of the chieftaincy installation, “Otti’s father, Lazarus who was a Pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist church was from Arochukwu but migrated to Umuru, Umuehim community where he was given a land to build in the olden days. You know how the Aro people migrate, anywhere they are accepted becomes their home. Alex Otti is from Arochukwu and not a freeborn of Umuru Umuehim let alone Ngwa land. “He is claiming to be from Ngwa land to enable him contest the governorship election. Does it not surprise you that Alex Otti built his first house in Arochukwu and recently built another one in Umuru, Umuehim; perhaps to enable him qualify for the contest? So, they know what they are doing, I blame our traditional rulers for selling out and not telling the whole truth about Alex Otti’s origin.” Pointbalnknews further gathered that the plot to ‘fully make Otti a freeborn Ngwa son’ was hatched by the traditional ruler of Isi Eketa Autonomous community, Eze Nelson Achilefu Nmerengwa who conscripted other monarchs in the deal on which the latter was allegedly settled with a princely sum. In a resolution passed by the Oha Ngwa Traditional Rulers Council at their meeting held at Aba Town Hall titled,” Grand Reception and Award of Chieftaincy Title to a Worthy son”, the monarchs in a letter addressed to Otti and signed by Eze Friday M. Ikpeazu, Eze P.O Oguibe, Eze Nelson A. Nmerengwa; Chairman of Council, Secretary to Council and Chairman, Board of Trustees, respectively, decided to organize a civic reception where a chieftaincy titled will be conferred on him. “In arriving at this decision, the Council views you as “Ngwa” by birth though “Arochukwu” Biologically and have carefully recorded your growth and impressive antecedents from birth,” the resolution read in part. The deal is said to have caused divisions among the traditional rulers in Ngwa land who believe that some forces are propping Otii to contest for the Abia governorship seat in 2015. Sources told our correspondent the controversy over Otti’s origin was behind the boycotting of the event by the State Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Eberechi Dick and some top monarchs from the area. Prominent indigenes of Ngwa land like Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu who have been the leading voices in favour of a power shift to Ukwa/ Ngwa zone were also absent from the event. First Attorney General of Abia state, Barr. Theo Nkire who was billed to chair the ceremony withdrew three days to the date through repeated media announcements which led to the ex council chairman of Isiala Ngwa LGA, Chief Anthony Agbazuere being propped up to stand in Nkire’s place. The chieftaincy installation which held under the auspices of nebulous body known as “Ndi Eze Ala Ngwa” attracted the presence of Gov. Theodore Orji, former Anambra governor, Mr. Peter Obi and Rivers state First Lady, Judith Amaechi whom Otti thanked for attending the event but added that he missed her husband, Gov. Chibuike Amaechi who he said, assured him of his presence. Other dignitaries who graced
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 09:44:31 +0000
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