By GBENGA OKE

Dr Alex Otti was the former Managing Director of Diamond Bank and presently the assumed governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) in Abia State.

In this interview, he shares his views on the forthcoming elections, his plans for Abia state and why he left his job at Diamond bank to join politics. Excerpts:

What is your assessment of the race ahead?

Well, the stage is not set but the race has started and the elections are by the corner. We are treading on, it is not an easy process but we thank God that we have found favour in His sight.

In Abia State, it is very clear that people want change, it is clear people want development, they want people with impeccable character, skills, vision, people that can turn things around in Abia State. And all those are some of the things that are working for us, so we are highly accepted by the people.

What could have moved you to leave a juicy job at Diamond Bank to join politics?

If you don't dare, you don't win. There is a saying that if you don't contest, you will not win. If you contest, you may win. I think the most important thing is to define things properly. At this stage in my life, the most important thing for me is to sit in my comfort zone and look at my state go down the drain and we eventually end up with a failed state or to take up the challenge.

It is a difficult decision but it is tough people that take difficult decision. So the courage has a whole lot to do with my passion to serve the people and to turn the story of our state around.

Abia State is one of the most underdeveloped states in Nigeria, it is one of the few states left with both human and material resources. What is lacking is quality leadership and good governance and I have what it takes.

Financial expert

So I took the decision and it's a decision I will not regret by the grace of God.

Given the fact that the state does not have enough industries and with dwindling oil prices, how do you intend fund youre projects?

Well, don't also forget that you are speaking to a financial expert, so I know exactly where the money is and I know how to get it. A lot of money still exists but they are looking for quality leadership, we are still looking for people with pedigree. Rome was not built in a day but the people who built Rome, if they did not start, Rome would not have been built.

In terms of resources, I believe I have the capacity, I have done it for other states, I have also done it for corporate organizations and doing it for my state is the least I can do.

So I know where to find the resources, I know where to deploy the resources and I know what to do to develop the state. So it will be done because I already have my blueprints.

Ufomba is still laying claims to the ownership of the governorship ticket of APGA in Abia State. How does that affect your at the polls?

Well, I think people are well educated and it is not about claim. Anybody can come out and claim anything. I think what is most important is what INEC says and INEC has since declared that the governorship candidate is Dr Alex Otti and not Ufomba. So I don't want to dissipate energy with somebody making claims. For you to be a candidate, you must have purchased form, indication of interest, you need to run the primaries and you need to win before you become a candidate. Ufomba did not participate in the primaries, so how can you be a candidate? I don't think it is an issue.

-Vanguard