Former elected councillors of Ukwa West Local Government Area, Abia State, have expressed appreciation to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for paying their outstanding allowances owed by previous administrations.
The former councillors, who served between 1999 and 2022, made the remarks on Wednesday during an appreciation visit to the Executive Chairman of Ukwa West Local Government Area, Pastor Dike Briggs Nwankwo.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the State Secretary of the Former Elected Councillors of Abia State, Hon. Chief Ndubuisi Enyioko, commended Governor Otti for listening to their appeal and responding to it promptly.
According to a press release issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Ukwa West Council Chairman, the former councillors expressed particular appreciation to Governor Otti for releasing the funds in bulk to clear the long-standing financial obligations. They said the payment had brought significant relief to many beneficiaries, enabling them to recover financially after years of waiting for their outstanding allowances.
Beyond expressing gratitude, Chief Enyioko said the former councillors had resolved to work with the Labour Party to ensure the re-election of Governor Alex Otti, OFR. He said the group would deploy their personal resources and grassroots networks to support the Governor’s re-election and ensure he records an outstanding victory in their respective wards.
Also speaking, the Ukwa West Chapter Coordinator of the Former Elected Councillors of Abia State, Hon. Austin Nwarie, described the payment of the outstanding allowances as unprecedented.
Nwarie said Governor Otti had demonstrated that his actions matched his promises, adding that such leadership would earn the support of the people. He pledged to do everything within his capacity to support and sustain the present leadership in Abia State.
Welcoming the former councillors, the Executive Chairman of Ukwa West LGA, Pastor Dike Briggs Nwankwo, assured them that their message of appreciation would be conveyed to Governor Otti without fail.
The Chairman said he was not surprised that Abians across political party lines were experiencing what he described as a “breath of fresh air” under the Otti administration.
He noted that the payment of the former councillors’ outstanding allowances, running into millions of naira, was among the developments he had anticipated under Governor Otti’s administration even before 2023. According to Nwankwo, his confidence in the Governor was informed by his position as a disciple of Governor Otti and his belief in the Governor’s leadership capacity.
The Ukwa West Chairman urged grassroots politicians to embrace politics driven by vision, wisdom and foresight rather than politics motivated by hunger, desperation and short-term gains. He challenged the former councillors and other political actors to look beyond immediate benefits and support leadership that provides hope, creates opportunities and prioritises the collective interests of the people.
