Abia Council Mayors Deny Defection Report

Mayors of the 17 local governments in Abia State have denied a media report that they’re plotting to defect to the opposition All Progressives Congress to protest their alleged sack by the governor, Alex Otti.

The mayors, serving a second term of six months each as transition committee heads, stated this yesterday in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Umuahia, the capital.

The statement, signed by their chairman, Elelenta Elele of Isiala Ngwa South, and the members, said the “malicious viral social media news” indicated that the plot was hatched in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.

“Our attention has been drawn to the report headed”‘Outgoing Abia LG majors set to defect to APC after sacked by Governor Otti, describing the mayors as new Abia trade unionists.’

“We, the distinguished mayors of the 17 local governments of Abia State, wish to assure men of goodwill and the entire good people of the state that there is no iota of truth in this concocted news item.”

“There was no agreement between Otti and us to railroad us into the office” and “therefore fallacious to simulate deceit for a process that has successfully met the provisions of extant laws of the state.”

“We’re busy joining hands with Otti to take the state to the desired destination of a model state, preparing for the incoming chairmen, and will not allow ourselves to be distracted by such a report.

“We know they’re desperate politicians lurking around to see who to devour. “Fortunately, we’re not mercantile politicians and, therefore, not transactional in our quest to serve the people.

“We’re indeed grateful to His Excellency, Governor Otti, for the opportunity given to us to serve, and we pledge our unalloyed support to him in delivering the Abia project.”