Gov. Otti (Centre) chatting with the Royal fathers
ABIA State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has reaffirmed his commitment to building durable infrastructure and offering quality service to the people of the State, saying that leadership is about stewardship.
The Governor spoke on Sunday, 11th January, when he played host to Abia Royal Fathers under the banner of Traditional Rulers Friends of His Excellency, a group of some traditional rulers drawn from different parts of the State who embraced his vision of an Abia First that works for all and began the journey of its realization with him in 2014.
“We all started this journey together in 2014. We know what we have been through, there is no point going through the whole story again, but all is well that ends well. We really thank God that in 2023, the story changed. We also thank God that we stayed the cause, resilient and consistent,” Governor Otti stated.
The Governor recalled that with the ugly experiences and temptations they encountered on the journey, they could have given up as many people advised that they shouldn’t continue.
”But, if we didn’t continue, today would not have happened,” the Governor noted, as he thanked the royal fathers for their support, steadfastness and dedication all the way, even when they were victimized, with some having their kingdoms divided, while some were suspended or dethroned and one of them lost his life in the process.
Gov. Otti disclosed that he normally meets with the traditional rulers on the 31st December of every year but because of numerous activities on the 31st December 2025, they could not meet and had to look for a suitable date.
Re-echoing his stance on service and stewardship-driven governance, the Governor said, “Ideally, this is a government that came to serve the people and that is what governance should be about. Once governance moves away from stewardship to lordship because that’s what we see in some places, then anything can happen.
“I can assure you that this Government will continue to be about stewardship to our people. It looked tough because a lot of things were left undone; when you have pension arrears, gratuity arrears, salary arrears and you need to take them out before you even start anything.
“It is that prioritization that made us remain here. We are still here in my private residence because I didn’t think it was a priority to begin to rebuild dilapidated government house in Umuahia.
“When we found a wiggle room, we started rebuilding both the residence and the office, and it’s gone very far. Very soon I’m sure they will complete it. It is going to be a befitting modern sophisticated building that anybody will be happy to live in.
Speaking further on his service to the people he said, “Anything we are building here, we are building to last. That is why you will not see low quality jobs anywhere, whether they are roads or schools, hospitals or anything at all, it’s either we are doing it or we are not doing it. If we are doing it, we must do it right.
“We’ve just done two years and seven months. So, we still have a long way to go. Given all the support we continue to get from our people, we are poised to do more.
The number one citizen of the State who noted that it is not possible to please everybody because of divergent interests, said that what is important is that the greater percentage of the people are pleased with what you are doing.
In his words “Of course like his Royal Majesty said, everybody cannot be pleased because people have different interests. But like I said in Church today, when you have 90 to 95% of the people happy, then you can assume that everybody is happy.
Speaking on behalf of the royal fathers, the leader of the delegation and the first Deputy Chairman of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Eze Nelson Nmerengwa and His Royal Highness Eze Franklin Nwosu appreciated and applauded Governor Otti for his visible and impactful achievements across the State.
They told the Governor that his performance has surpassed their expectations and made them proud by doing the things he promised to do for the people.
They stated that Abia has become the number one reference point of good governance in Nigeria today, unlike before when States like Akwa-Ibom and Lagos State were the reference points.
They enjoined the Governor to ignore the ranting of the opposition in the State, asserting that the Governor’s second term is already a done deal. They said that they are only worried about who would succeed the Governor in 2031 so that Abia will not be dragged back to the era of under development and unprogressive governance.
“We are looking beyond 2027. What we are talking about and our worry is not about your reelection, it is already done. But our worry is who will take over from you and continue from where you stopped so that when you have finished your tenure, the State will not be crippled again.
“We are proud of you, very, very proud of you,” Eze Nmerangwa stated.
He commended the Governor for the quality and caliber of men and women he has chosen to work with him to deliver the dividends of democracy to Abians, acknowledging that the Governor has knack for quality and excellence.
The royal fathers said that they came to reaffirm and reassure Governor Otti of their solidarity as it were when they embraced his vision and started the journey of liberating Abia State with him in 2014, declaring that, no circumstance can change their decision because they love him and he loves them.
They prayed for the Governor, pronouncing God’s blessings upon his life, family, cabinet members and the entire State.
The Governor was joined by the Member representing Isiala Ngwa South and North in the House of Representatives, Hon. Okenze Ginger Onwusibe and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, to receive the royal fathers.
