Jerry Uzosike, the former Member representing Umuahia South State Constituency, has urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party to focus on acquiring a State secretariat instead of attacking him for joining the Labour Party.
Honourable Uzosike, who constructed 126 shops at Isi-court, 54 shops at Ubakala, and 7 houses for indigent women in his community, along with other empowerment programs for his constituents, spoke with Newsleverage on Monday. He revealed that he didn’t leave the PDP due to any issues, but rather to find someone who shared his vision for the state.
He requested the party management to focus on acquiring a State Secretariat since the known Secretariat in the State has been locked down. He also urged them to refrain from making negative comments about him, as joining the Labour Party was a deliberate decision.
“I plead with the party management especially my friend Amah Abraham to let me be. They mismanaged the party. I was a member of the SWC when an order came to stop Ginger Onwusibe from running for LG chairman but we said no. We told the executive to separate executive powers and our party management. If the party takes one step further, I will explode.”
Honourable Uzosike, who was also the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, recently stated that he investigated Abia Polytechnic through live social media streams and Abia SME, and recommended significant measures to the government. He mentioned that he was mandated to be removed from public accounts by the former Speaker of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, but this never happened.
He clarified that he joined the LP due to its good governance ideology and admiration for Governor Alex Otti’s administration, but did not blame the PDP for his election loss.
“I told my PA, if I’m made a Governor today, I would expand Ossah road and when I saw someone was doing it, I agreed with his vision. For the first time, the civil service is being regularized. The Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries were determined on merit, and examinations were written. I saw a governor who is in charge. If I speak with you as a governor and you give me your word, I should be able to go to the bank with that word. This is unlike what we had.”
While discussing his loyalty towards the PDP, he emphasized that even after mismanagement, the PDP still won the governorship election only in his ward across Umuahia South LGA. He also mentioned that he originally intended to join the Labour Party during the tribunal, but after meeting with the governor on Sunday, he felt it was the right time to decide to leave the PDP.
“The Governor said to me; ‘work with me Jerry, you are part of the new Abia.’ Being the invitation I have been waiting for, I never hesitated and resigned my membership in the PDP. It amazes me when I see people who have been jumping from one political party to the other writing so much epistle about me. It’s amazing.”
He commended Governor Otti for his resilience and principles and urged him to continue improving infrastructure, paying workers on time, supporting good ideas, and building more roads.
“I believe that Governor Otti should continue to do the things that made me fall in love with him.”
