The strongman of Abia State politics and a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Board of Trustees, Benjamin Apugo has disclosed that he mobilized Abia voters to support Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party, LP, during the 2023 governorship election.
Apugo, who spoke to journalists on Thursday after a private visit to Governor Otti in his country home, said that he put aside his political party leaning and was only concerned about Abia State and the welfare of the people.
He alleged that those who previously governed the state mismanaged the resources of the state, but said that Governor Otti has so far been impressive.
“My party does not mean anything to me, I am a chieftain of the APC, a member of the National Board of Trustees, member of the National Caucus of the APC.
“My concern is my state. Today, I am happy about what is happening in my state.
“Before he (Governor Otti) won the election, I told Abia people to vote for him, not minding the position I am holding in my party.
“I never bothered with the (governorship) candidate of the APC. We had none. I told Abia people that this man will bring us back to life.
“That’s what I told them, and all of them listened to me. And what I said that time, it’s no longer myself alone that is saying it. Everybody is saying that Abia has come to stay,” Apugo affirmed.
He said Governor Otti had done what he (Apugo) wanted him to do, and therefore did not need any advice from him.
He, however, said that the Governor would now have to advise others who would succeed him, to listen to the people and work in line with their desire.
