An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Abia State, Chief Benjamin Apugo, has urged governorship aspirants across political parties to support Governor Alex Otti’s re-election bid in 2027, citing the administration’s achievements and the need to sustain development in the state.
Apugo, a member of the APC Board of Trustees and Ochiagha Ibeku, made the call while receiving members of the Ndume Council of Elders from Umuahia North Local Government Area at his palace.
He said Otti’s performance in the last three years justified another term, which he argued would enable the governor to further reposition Abia for development.
However, Apugo urged the government to extend development to the outskirts of Umuahia rather than concentrating projects in the city centre.
He also commended the administration’s plan to construct a modern sports stadium at a new location.
On traditional institutions, the APC chieftain expressed concern over the alleged involvement of some traditional rulers in shielding criminals and criminal activities in their communities.
He called on the state government to screen traditional rulers and remove those who failed to use their positions and cultural values to promote peace, discipline and security.
Apugo argued that traditional institutions should play a stronger role in ensuring that offenders, particularly youths, face appropriate sanctions under native laws and customs.
“If offenders, particularly youths, are tried and treated according to native laws, customs and tradition, they will not go back to that offence. Presently, traditional rulers are not doing much in this direction,” he said.
Earlier, Chairman of the Ndume Council of Elders, Sir Michael Ogbonna, said the delegation visited Apugo to seek his counsel on the development of Ndume community, Abia State and Nigeria.
Ogbonna described Apugo as a dependable leader in the Ibeku community, highlighting his contributions to education through scholarships, employment opportunities for indigenes, community development and peacebuilding.
