Disregard Opposition, Focus On Governance- Ex IPAC chairman Tells Gov Otti
The former South East chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC),Hon Emeka Okafor, has come out to advise Abia government to channel more energy to governance rather than clamping down opposition parties in the state.
In an interview, Hon Emeka Okafor who was a three time Commissioner in the State, said the energy used in tackling opposition, should be redirected to real governance, urging the government to disregard the opposition and focus on governance.
He said opposition forms the rudiment in every democratic system and no governor should think of shutting them down, because they form part of democracy.
Okafor stated that anyone trying to clamp down opposition parties is heading for doom, adding that the best way to technically shut down opposition, is to deliver continuous dividends to the people.
“Use the resources you will use to chase opposition to develop Abia. This is what matters. Abians want to see developments,when these are in place, your second tenure is secured. Leaving governance and fighting opposition will not guarantee your re-election.
“Desist from shutting up opposition it will affect you. The only thing to do,is to technically shut up opposition. When you work for Abians, the people will vote you again and opposition will nolonger have what to say. We are not in the military, even under the military rule, citizens still oppose them. It’s the right of opposition to talk, the Governor should only remain focused”,he said.
According to the former IPAC chairman, the Governor of the state, Dr Alex Otti, should invest massively in Abia development, stressing that this is what Abians will see to pursue for his re-election.
Okafor, however, commended the environment provided for businesses to thrive in the state, adding that the airport initiative, was a good step in the right direction, especially for business owners who transact businesses outside the state.
He advised the Governor to open up the city centre,so that those who are into real estate can easily purchase lands development, lamenting that the over centralization of the urban area in a spot,has hiked the prices of land, making it so difficult for those into real estate to buy lands and develop.
Okafor equally mentioned how some communities bring strict measures in the acquisition of landed property in their area, adding that government’s intervention on this angle, would encourage more investments.
“Abia is not bad, any business man that can survive in other parts of the country can survive here, the problem we are encountering in Abia is that some of us into real estate are having issues with land acquisition. No land to buy. Lands are over priced. Community irregularities is also posing a big challenge. Imagine selling a piece land for more than three buyers. The government should wade into this challenge by opening up new site for developers. When new areas are opened,the demand for lands in a particular area will reduce and the cost for landed property will reduce too.
“Presently in Umuahia city centre, a plot of land is placed at about 100 million naira. This is high for developers.The over centralization in the urban area is what is making the prices of land to skyrocket”,he explained.
The ex IPAC chairman, further called on the government to speed up ongoing road construction in the state before the rains begin, commending the leadership of Governor Otti and urging him not be distracted by the governorship endorsements of other parties ongoing ahead of 2027, stating that if he performs well, Abians will make their choice at the right time.
He added that the state deserves the best, therefore any governor that wishes the state well, should make its economic growth a priority, as Abia is blessed with great skills and manpower that need to be harnessed for the development of the state.
