Wabara’s Backing Of Otti Stirs Controversy

The Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Adolphus Wabara has drawn the ire of party members over his support for Abia State governor and Labour Party member, Alex Otti.

Recall that last week Tuesday, Wabara was suspended by the Abia State chapter of PDP-led Abraham Amah, for anti-party activities and also for endorsing Governor Alex Otti for a second tenure barely five months into the governor’s administration in October 2023.

Wabara had again on Sunday, at the International Conference Center, Umuahia, during the 80th birthday celebration of former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Godswill Emelike Okoro, acknowledged the visible progress in the state under Governor Otti’s leadership, adding, “even a blind man can see what is happening in Abia!”

He reiterated that no one could suspend him from the party for commending good governance, insisting that he would continue to appreciate Governor Otti for his contributions to Abia State’s development.

Wabara, who joking said that they might now move from suspending him to expelling him for speaking the truth, added that “before becoming a PDP card-carrying member, before becoming an NRC card-carrying member in this state, I, Adolphus Nduneweh Wabara, was first and foremost a citizen of Abia.”

He further said that Governor Otti, whom some political stakeholders had opposed, is now leading the state’s recovery from years of misgovernance.

Reacting to Wabara’s position in a telephone chat with the media, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor said it is either old age is catching up with Wabara or personal gain is guarding his utterances.

While calling on members of BoT to invite their Chairman for query, Osadolor said marketing Governor Otti against the interest of PDP was unfortunate and despicable.

He noted that Wabara wants to be a PDP member in the morning, Labour in the afternoon and APGA at night, adding Nigerians have already known him for who he’s.

He insisted that Wabara should be invited by BoT members to explain why he has taken it upon himself to bring that exalted position to public ridicule by his utterances.

Osadolor said: “It is either old age is catching up with Wabara or personal gains is guarding his utterances. The man who holds a distinguish honour of being the chairman of the conscience of the party, which is BOT; There are some words he is bound to say and there are words he is not supposed to say publicly.

He should be seen at any point in time to be the chief representative of the PDP at any fora. He should be the one, which can compels the course and market the PDP but rather, he has made it a stock in trade to praise Alex Otti to high heavens because of what he stands to gain from Gov. Otti, forgetting that his party has candidates and his party has a major stake in Abia.

“Alex Otti came with the hurricane of the last elections. The state was ruled by PDP, so, I wonder where this one love he has for Gov. Otti is coming from, which is for personal gains. I think the man has lost the locus to be made the Chairman of the BoT.

“And when he said that they feel they can expell him, he should not wait to be expelled or further embarrassed or asked to leave, he should honourably leave now that it is clear that he has found pension and gratuity in the works of Alex Otti.

“But for the chairman of the conscience of the party, to be playing this role is most unfortunate. This is an irresponsible act and it is a clear message to the leaders of the party, the PDP that he doesn’t take his job seriously.

“Wabara is the one that should not be taken seriously. Old age has different ways of affecting people. PDP on its own is competent to winning elections for Nigerians and for the platform, but for the likes of Wabara, who wants to be PDP in the morning, Labour in the afternoon and APGA at night, well, it’s good that Nigerians have already known him for who he’s.

“It is unfortunate, it’s self serving at best, it’s despicable, even the BoT members should by now query Wabara and even invite him to come and explain why he has taken it upon himself to bring that exalted position to public ridicule by his utterances.”