A former governorship candidate in Abia State under the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ochiagha Regan Ufomba has advised the opposition parties in Abia to embrace the positive things happening in the State and dial down the negatives, saying that Governor Alex Otti, OFR, has no business with failure as he has all it takes to deliver the dividends of democracy to Abians.
Ochiagha Regan Ufomba, who said he is currently apolitical, spoke on Thursday, 6th March after a meeting with Governor Otti.
“I think that after politics comes governance. This is time for governance, we are all Abians, so we should dial down the negatives and dial up the positives.
“This is not my first time of speaking for Governors in power. I supported OUK (Orji Uzo Kalu), I advised Ikpeazu and today I’m here. I think that we should have a measure of collaboration that would move Abia State forward.
“As many political parties as we have, they would want to survive; they will always have their say, but the majority and those who believe will always have their way,” Chief Ufomba stated.
Speaking further, he said, “I believe there is no perfect system, and Governor Alex Otti cannot be 100% perfect”.
“The Governor Otti that I know has no business with failure. You know he is a corporate person; he lived in Lagos; he is a seasoned banker, and he has what it takes to deliver the goods.
The former APGA Chief told the press that he has not come to assess the Government of Governor Otti, noting that every Government or administration has an incubation period. He, however, acknowledged some of the good works of the Governor.
“I’m not here to assess the Government for now. I tell people there is what is called incubation period for every Government or administration. After two years, I would be able to assess him and what he has done.
“But, few weeks ago, I was in Umuahia. I saw roads being dualized, I saw roads being tard and I have encouraged him to continue to do the good things,” the former APGA chieftain stated.
He commended Governor Otti for the Abia Airport Project at Nsulu, and reaffirmed his support for the project. He further narrated how he lost a huge opportunity to set up a cement factory in the State as his foreign partners backed out of the deal when they realized that Abia has no airport.
“I’m a seasoned businessman. I own Regan Cement. I just told him (the Governor) my experiences in Spain, where after signing a contract, the people went up to the map and said, you don’t have an Airport, and that project didn’t take off – my proposed 2 million metric capacity cement plant in Arochukwu.
“I’m a supporter of the Airport Project because of the economic benefits to our people. The Governor will not run away with the airport after his tenure. The airport is here for our use, for our benefit, and for the benefit of the industrial city and people of Aba. So, I’m a supporter, any time, any day,” Ochiagha Ufomba declared as he also commended the Governor for working out a compensation plan for the landowners.
Ctz. UKOHA NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
06-03-2025.
