Governor Alex Otti: Just Too Human

By UZOMA ISIAKPU—-

After a prolonged period of despair, depression, frustration, anguish, and endless agitation over the non-payment of accumulated gratuities to retired Abia civil servants, the executive pronouncement by the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, on this vexing issue last weekend has brought cheers to the drooping hearts of the hapless pensioners.

The good news, which automatically reversed the gloomy mood of thousands of senior citizens across the state, was announced during the November edition of “Governor Alex Otti Speaks To Abians” on Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Government House, Umuahia. During his speech at the monthly parley with journalists, Governor Otti stated his administration’s resolve to commence the gradual payment of gratuity to pensioners in the state, which had remained unpaid since 2001.

The governor, who assured workers and pensioners in the state that his administration would continue to prioritise their salaries, pensions, and gratuities, specifically said to the retirees: “One thing I would like to assure the pensioners is that their gratuity will be paid gradually. The way my mind is working is that we will have to begin the payment gradually.”

The firm promise by Governor Alex Otti to pay the verified outstanding gratuities, which total in excess of ₦60 billion, unequivocally portrays the Abia Chief Executive as simply being too human. He is “just too human” because he listens, is empathetic, kind-hearted, and has, by his decision to change the narrative, exhibited that the milk of human kindness flows in his veins. As the governor rightly stated, earlier appeals from pensioners informed his resolve to set up a committee to reassess the backlog of gratuities with a payment view.

By acknowledging that government is a continuum, Governor Otti has also portrayed himself as a true democrat. His acceptance that “… if it is assets, if it is liability, you pick all of them. We are unafraid to work out solutions,” is a demonstration of political maturity. More importantly, the governor has equally proved to be a man of his word, having promised during his campaign to clear arrears of pensions and gratuities.

For this gesture, retired civil servants in Abia State will forever be grateful to the Ekwueme Governor, and posterity will be kind to him for accomplishing this feat. Kudos to His Excellency.

However, as disheartening as the committee’s findings are, and as substantial as the amount of outstanding gratuity is, we appeal to Governor Alex Otti to graciously accelerate his proposed gradual payment of the unpaid pensions and gratuities.

The payment should commence immediately to stem further increases in the figure, as civil servants bow out of service every day, week, and month. What is more, these debts ought to be settled before the build-up to the 2027 general elections.

This would prevent opposition political parties from using further delays in payment as a campaign instrument against the Governor and the ruling Labour Party (LP) in the state. Quickening the gradual process of payment will, above all, guarantee the electoral fortunes of Governor Alex Otti, as pensioners and their dependents are likely to vote massively for him.

Despite the stress and strain on the government from competing demands, achieving this is feasible. Disbursing huge sums of money in two or three installments can defray the accumulated debt.

• Isiakpu is a Public Relations Consultant