The Ngwa Rangers vehemently condemn the systematic discrimination and acts of nepotism by Governor Alex Otti against the Ngwa Nation in Abia State.
We are appalled by the reversal of command promotions granted to deserving civil servants by the immediate past administration, as we have investigated and discovered that the decision selectively affects Ngwa individuals while secretly sparing Otti’s kinsmen, cronies, and loyalists. This act is a clear case of discrimination and a blatant attempt to deprive the Ngwa Nation of their rightful place in the State’s workforce.
We demand the immediate reinstatement of the reversed command promotions or the outright reversal of all command promotions made in the Abia Civil Service since 1999, as former Governor Ikpeazu is not the first Governor of Abia State to grant command promotions to deserving workers.
Former Governors Orji Uzor Kalu and T.A. Orji granted several command promotions, which Alex Otti is aware of, having worked with them as the Accounts Officer of the State. Why is Ikpeazu’s decision considered illegal?
It is an incontrovertible fact that Ngwa nation has done a lot for Dr Alex Otti and his family, by accepting and living with them harmoniously over the years. It is therefore our considered belief that Ngwa Nation deserves fairer and reciprocal treatment from the governor, but his actions and inactions have cost us a lot as a people, and we will no longer accept it.
We understand that Alex Otti is finding it difficult to forgive ala Ngwa for our support to Dr. Ikpeazu in 2015 and 2019, but he must also come to the realisation that he couldn’t have won the 2023 election without the tacit support of some of our sons who defected to Labour Party and brought their experience to bear heavily on the final outcome of that election.
It is partly for these reasons that we demand an end to this despotism never seen in Abia Civil Service, which aims to deprive the Ngwa Nation of their rightful place in the State’s workforce. If Dr. Alex Otti feels there is a need to reform the Civil Service, he should start from 1999, as the illegalities he is looking for did not happen under his predecessor’s tenure.
Governor Otti’s selective reversal of waivers for employment issued by his predecessor, Governor Ikpeazu, while ignoring those granted by Ikpeazu’s predecessors, is a clear case of discrimination and hypocrisy. This act has rendered over 20,000 Abians jobless at a time when the nation’s economy is in a mess. This would not have happened if Dr. Otti had not allowed tribalism and vendetta to influence his government.
Alex Otti has no moral right to sack Abians from the Civil Service, reverse command promotions, and declare the decisions of a duly elected Governor illegal when he appointed a lady alleged by many to be his sister-in-law as Accountant General and, in a few days, issued a waiver for her employment into the Civil Service, promoting her to Grade Level 16, in flagrant disregard to civil service rules!
This is the first time in Abia that a Governor has appointed Permanent Secretaries without Ngwa land, with seven local governments getting at least five Permanent Secretaries. Our brothers from Ukwa did not get a single appointment. Umuahia got at least seven out of 24, while qualified Ngwa individuals were excluded, despite their merit and seniority.
We urge Governor Otti to recognize the official approvals and waivers issued by previous governors since 1999 and ensure inclusive, merit-based appointments in the Civil Service.
We also remind the governor of the need to inaugurate Hon. Aaron Uzodike as a member of the Abia State House of Assembly with immediate effect, as we are aware of his efforts to deny Aba North representation in the 8th Assembly.
It is an insult to the Ngwa Nation that, under Otti’s watch, non-indigenes are chairmen of Aba local governments, a decision he made and had the audacity to tell Ngwa people to hit their heads on the wall if they are not pleased with it. Today, Aba Ngwa does not have a representative in the State Executive Council. And we wonder why an Aro man is not the T C Chairman of Umuahia North, or why an Ukwa man is not representing Ohafia in the State Executive Council.
Governor Otti must govern with equity, justice, and fairness, recognizing the contributions of the Ngwa nation to Abia State’s growth and development.
To our kinsmen who have offered themselves as willing tools of aggression and deliberate repression against the Ngwa nation, history becons.Your condemnable and evil collaboration will stand forever against you if you do not retrace your steps.
A word is enough for the wise.
Signed
Kingsley Ihesiaba
Publicity Secretary
Ngwa Rangers
July 15, 2024
