Otti’s critic, Mba pulls out of PDP’s Slshadow government

By Folarunsho Alagbede

Mr Chinonye Mba has rejected his appointment as Commissioner for Youth Development in the Shadow Government recently inaugurated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State.
This is coming two weeks after Mba’s appointment by the Abraham Amah-led PDP executive in Abia.
Mba, who is regarded as the most consistent critic of the administration of Governor Alex Otti, tendered his resignation on Friday, blaming his decision on the failure of his party, PDP to consult or issue him a letter of appointment.
“This is to notify the general public that I, Mr. Chinonye Mba, is not a member of a newly formed Shadow Government of the Peoples Democratic Party as I was not consulted before such appointment.
“Considering the fact that there’s no appointment letter or any sort of documentation and having consulted my lawyers about the legality and implications of such, I hereby publicly disassociate myself from the said shadow Government of the People Democratic Party.
“As a law-abiding citizen and a progressive, who desires to see my state prosper, I have decided to jettison anything that would be a distraction to the Executive Governor of Abia state Dr. Alex Chioma Otti.
Thank you and God bless,” Mba said.
He added: “To whom brain is given, sense is expected”.
Also, a former Commissioner for works during the administration of former Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, Bob Ogu resigned from the PDP Shadow Government as ‘Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice’, saying he was not consulted before his appointment.
Reacting to Mba’s resignation, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma praised the decision, urging him to ignore the barrage of mocking he is receiving because of his decision.
According to Ekeoma, Chinonye Mba’s interests, which will be protected by the progress and development in Abia State, matters most.
However, the Publicity Secretary of PDP in Abia, Eric Ikwuagwu said that those who resigned from the Shadow Government may have done so because of fear of arrest or victimisation.
“Please let us respect their decisions. Even three cabinet nominees by incoming President Trump rejected the offer, but opposition can never be silenced.
“Do not blame any political opposition voice that has been silenced due to fear”, Ikwuagu said.
This is our time to flourish, Benue has never gotten better.”