Methodist Prelate Says Abia Is Subject Of Discussion Home, Abroad As Gov. Otti Vows To Reverse Anti-People Policies

Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, has stated that the people’s interests will continue to be prioritised in policy enactment and implementation, and that his administration has taken steps to reverse anything found to be contrary to this expectation.

In a press statement issued by Kazie Uko, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Otti described his administration as selfless leadership oriented towards the welfare of the people and promised to continue providing good governance for the benefit of Ndi Abia.

The Governor spoke on Saturday while receiving the leadership of the Methodist Church Nigeria, led by the Prelate, Dr. Oliver Ali Abba, who paid him a visit at his home in Umuehim, Nvosi, Isialangwa South.

“This is a very selfless leadership in Abia State; leadership that is oriented towards the welfare of the people of Abia, and we have taken very bold initiatives in reversing anything that we find that is not in the best interests of the Abians.

“I also listened when you mentioned opposition. As you correctly observed, the opposition will always be present. Even in the Church, there is opposition, but I took note of what you said, and that is precisely what we are doing.

“The reality is that they are in a very small minority, because the majority of the people want good governance, and one thing you can take away from this is that Abia people will get good governance,” Governor Otti declared.

According to the Governor, Abia is ‘God’s own State,’ and thus in God’s hands. As a result, he promised to do only what was approved by God’s people.

While admitting that he may make mistakes as a human, Governor Otti stated that such mistakes, if discovered, would be corrected immediately, insisting that he would make a concerted effort to do things in the people’s best interests.

“On our own, as humans, we make mistakes, but when we discover them, we go back and fix them.

“We are not perfect, and we do not claim that we do not make mistakes, but deliberate efforts to do things that are not in the best interests of the people will not occur here under my leadership,” he promised.

Governor Otti thanked the Methodist Church for its massive support during the campaigns for the 2023 governorship election, which brought him to office, particularly for mobilising massively during the election.

Earlier in his address, the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Oliver Ali Abba, who stated that he was in the state on a routine apostolic visit to the Umuahia Archdiocese, congratulated Governor Otti on his resounding victory in the 2023 governorship election.

Dr. Abba also recalled the joyous celebrations that followed Governor Otti’s victory across the state, which he said demonstrated that the Governor is God’s chosen man for Abia State.

He praised Governor Otti for restoring the dignity of the Abia people by instituting good governance and quality political leadership in the state. He noted that Governor Otti’s policies and successes have become a topic of discussion both at home and abroad.

The Methodist Prelate cited significant improvements in power supply in Aba and its environs through the Geometric Power Plant, retrofitting of the Abia State healthcare system, reconstruction of strategic roads such as Port Harcourt Road in Aba and Ossah Road in Umuahia, and payment of salary and pension arrears in the State as examples of the Governor’s accomplishments in just under a year in office.

“I applaud your record of accomplishments in Abia in just under a year.” You have done an excellent job, particularly in ensuring that workers and pensioners receive what they are owed,” he told the Governor.

The Methodist Church’s leader charged the Governor with remaining upright in all his dealings and being courageous enough to challenge what he described as the old governance order, while also encouraging him not to be afraid to make the right decisions and to continue to look to God for divine guidance.

The Prelate’s visit to the Governor was accompanied by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Umuahia Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo Opoko, and other church leaders.