Former Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc and governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State, Dr. Alex Oti, has dumped the party for the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Oti has already picked the All Progressives Grand Alliance nomination forms for the governorship election in Abia State.
While picking the APGA governorship forms for N12 million at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, Oti explained that his decision to join APGA was borne out of his strong belief in the party’s ideology and his determination to rescue Abia State from total collapse.
According to him: “I have left the PDP.
“And to me, coming to APGA is like a home coming.
“I like to use this opportunity to thank you for warmly welcoming me to your office and welcoming me home.
“I have always said that APGA is not a political party but a religion for Nigerians.
“Some of you will recall that when our lational leader died, we did everything to make sure that he was given a befitting burial.
“I was the Chairman of the finance sub-committee.
“I am very happy to be back home.
“We have a mission to take back our state and put it back on the part of progress and industrialisation.
“We have started that journey.
“We know that there are a whole lot of things we could do.
“When I look at Aba, I regret that I did not take this decision to serve my people.
“It is a great sacrifice for me to leave what I was doing until a few weeks ago.
“But it is not too late.
“We are here to win and win we must.”
In his remarks, the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, assured Oti and every aspirant on the party’s platform of equal opportunity.
Umeh stated that the party is determined to win more seats in next year’s elections.
According to him: “Dr. Oti has, after consultations, decided to come to APGA, the party on which platform he can win the 2015 governorship in Abia State.
“Let me once more welcome you to our National Secretariat.
“I saw you in the PDP Secretariat not long ago.
“Are you still in the party?
“Their loss should be our gain.
“We are very delighted to have you here and not only that, announcing your resignation from the PDP and joining APGA, a party which you have described as a movement for the people of Nigeria.
“I want to assure you that APGA is very happy to have you as a member.
“You are a distinguished Nigerian who took Diamond Bank to one of the most formidable heights in Nigeria.
“Coming to us to contest for the governorship of Abia is a huge relief as Abia needs a man that has the ability.
“We have been reading about the dilapidated state of infrastructure in Abia State and especially in Aba.
“I want to assure you that with you, APGA is close to the government house in Umuahia.”