Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, declaring that no amount of distraction will derail his government’s focus on the welfare and happiness of Abians.
Otti made the remark while receiving an Abia-born cyclist, Mr. Wisdom Chisom, who rode a bicycle from Lagos to Abia State in solidarity with the governor over his “visible and impactful achievements.”
“We are happy that our people are happy because the essence of government is to make your people happy — that is the welfare of the people. We will continue and will not stop,” Otti said.
“We want to thank our people for the massive support everywhere — not just in Abia, but everywhere our people are. And we want to reassure them that nothing will distract us from continuing to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.”
The governor, who said he only learned about Mr. Chisom’s journey at the close of the State Executive Council meeting through the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananba, welcomed and thanked the cyclist for the honour.
He commended Mr. Chisom for his patriotic gesture and urged him to continue being a good ambassador of Abia State wherever he finds himself, noting that “Abians stand out in whatever they do.”
Speaking earlier, Mr. Chisom, who hails from Nunya in the Isuikwuato Local Government Area, said he was motivated to embark on the journey after witnessing the rapid transformation taking place in the state.
He particularly commended Governor Otti for reconstructing the 11.5-kilometre Nunya–Eluama Road, which had been in deplorable condition for years.
“Most times when I go online, I see things happening in Abia. I read them and I’m like, ‘Wow! So we really have somebody like this in the state.’ The last time I came home, I couldn’t believe the transformation. I was like, is this really Nunya or a new place?” he said.
“When I went back to Lagos, I kept seeing things changing so fast. Not the usual talk without action — things are actually moving. If you go to Umuahia Tower now, you might not believe it because there’s light everywhere. I was seeing traffic lights and I was like, wow!”
Mr. Chisom said he decided to cycle from Lagos to Umuahia as a symbolic gesture of honour to the governor.
“That bicycle is not just a bicycle; it is a symbol of honour to you,” he told the governor.
“We really appreciate what you are doing in the state, Sir.”
He further expressed confidence in the governor’s re-election prospects, saying: “2027 is assured, Sir, because you are doing great things.”
Chisom recounted how policemen along his route cheered him on when they saw Governor Otti’s picture on his T-shirt.
“When I was coming, the police officers would just stop me and say, ‘He is a good man! Just go!’” he narrated to laughter and applause.
Mr. Chisom disclosed that he left Lagos on Monday and arrived in Umuahia on Saturday, insisting that he would not leave until he had paid homage to the governor.
