‘Emulate Otti’s Politics Without Bitterness’

Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia
Politicians in Abia State and Nigeria at large have been urged to emulate the brand of politics without bitterness being played by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2015 general election, Mr. Alex Otti.

Constitutional lawyer and former Commissioner for Information in the state, Dr Antony Agbazuere, gave the advice to his fellow politicians at the weekend during the burial of his mother, Mrs. Felicia Agbazuere, who died at the age of 90.

Otti was a surprise guest at the funeral of the mother of his fierce political opponent during the 2015 governorship election in Abia hence not a few eye brows were raised at the gathering that included who is who in the Abia State chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The gathering at the Villa of Destiny field, Ikem Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government included Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senators Theodore Orji (Abia Central, Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Hon Chikwendu Kalu, and other PDP big shots in the state.

Agbazuere who openly confessed  that the role he played in Otti’s political misfortune in 2015 could have marked him as his enemy, noted that the APGA governorship candidate had displayed an uncommon political maturity and tolerance by identifying with him in his moment of sorrow.

He said if politics could be played the way Otti has demonstrated, there would be no destruction of lives and property in the name of political contests and quest for elective and non-elective political offices.
In his remarks, Governor Ikpeazu also recognised Otti, who was his bitter rival in the 2015 governorship poll and even mounted a lengthy legal battle to unseat him.

Ikpeazu lauded the late Mrs. Agbazuere for giving the best to her children even as a widow following the death of her husband 35 years ago, adding that she should be commended for guiding her son to the height he has attained so far.
He said the deceased, who was a teacher by profession, lived a life of service and died at the ripe age hence her children have every reason to celebrate their mother for her accomplishments.

Earlier in his homily, the officiating priest at the funeral mass, Rev Fr. Kennedy, called on people to change their bad ways and act in accord with the commandments of God, adding that any good life would always be worthy of emulation.