The lawmaker representing Umuahia North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Barr. Anderson Kelechi Akaliro, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour Party (LP).

Speaking in Umuahia, the state capital, Akaliro said his decision was personal and driven by his conviction that Governor Alex Otti has, in the past two years, demonstrated leadership and commitment in delivering democratic dividends to the people of Abia State.

According to him, the governor’s leadership style has made it difficult for him to play the role of an opposition lawmaker, hence his decision to join forces with the administration to further support governance in the state.

“Today, I have seen the light,” Akaliro said. “I have watched His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, closely to understand where he is coming from and where he is headed. Based on what he has done so far for the good of our state, I have decided to join him in the Labour Party (LP).”

He pledged to work with the governor in ensuring that more democratic dividends reach the residents and citizens of Abia State.

“Abia is number one in virtually everything, cutting across the nooks and crannies of the state. I am proud to say that, truly, I am an Abian.

“Judging from his (Otti’s) antecedents and what he has done, I thought that he was a banker, but I never knew that he was a seasoned administrator; he came prepared for the job, and today, I am really happy, and my constituents are excited that I have decided to join the moving train. I know that he is taking us to the proper destination, and Abia has always rejoiced. Abia will be happy with him and will continue to be happy with him.

“The governor has done well in the education sector. He has also done well in infrastructure, roads, houses, smart schools, name it, cutting across the length and breadth of Abia State; even the blind can see that this man came prepared for the work, and he is doing it seamlessly.

“As a former opposition member, Dr. Alex Otti made my job very difficult, because I have nothing to criticize him with. Even when the thought comes up for me to criticize him, the next moment, he (Otti) is doing it, so, makes it difficult for me to criticize him. I have no other choice but to join him because I know that he Is the right man for this job, and I want to say that no other person can do it better than him.” (The Nation)