Former Abia State lawmaker, Hon. Obinna Ichita, has questioned the political consistency of Governor Alex Otti following the appointment of the immediate past Deputy Governor of Abia State as Chairman of his Campaign Advisory Council.
Ichita, who represented Aba South State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly from 2019 to 2023, expressed concern over the inclusion of individuals associated with the previous administration in the governor’s campaign structure.
In a statement dated October 7, 2026, Ichita recalled that he and Governor Otti had previously criticised the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu over its management of public resources.
He questioned what had changed to justify the governor’s renewed confidence in individuals who served under the administration they once criticised.
“The appointment of the immediate past Deputy Governor as chairman of Dr Alex Otti’s campaign advisory council, alongside other figures associated with the previous administration, raises a question of political consistency,” Ichita stated.
He added: “Dr Otti and I, alongside others, criticised that administration’s stewardship of public resources. What has changed to warrant renewed confidence in these figures’ judgement?”
The former lawmaker acknowledged that political appointments could form part of a broader electoral strategy but maintained that such decisions also reflected the values and standards of those seeking public office.
“Campaign appointments may serve an electoral strategy, but they also reveal the standards by which a leadership chooses its advisers,” he said.
While recognising political reconciliation as a legitimate part of democracy, Ichita insisted that the people of Abia State deserved an explanation of how the appointments aligned with the governor’s previous criticisms and his promise of improved governance.
“Political reconciliation is legitimate. Abians nevertheless deserve an explanation of how these appointments can be reconciled with the criticisms previously made and the promise of better governance,” he stated.
Ichita concluded his remarks with a call for conscience, accountability and respect for human dignity, urging political leaders to remain open to public scrutiny.
“Let faith embolden the conscience until no throne stands above scrutiny and no human being lives beneath dignity,” he wrote.
He also invited the public to reflect on the issues raised while listening to Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Jesus bleibet meine Freude”, translated as “Jesus remains my joy.”
Ichita’s statement raises questions about political reconciliation, accountability and consistency in leadership as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The concerns represent Ichita’s position, and Governor Otti’s response to the questions raised was not included in the statement.
