Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has declared that his administration will respond to critics and opposition voices with more developmental projects and improved governance.
The governor also said that, for the first time, the people of Abia have “taken over their government.”
Otti spoke on Saturday during a grand civic reception held at Annunco Secondary School, Isuikwuato, in honour of the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, who was recently elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The event was organised by the Isuikwuato Local Government Council.
The governor congratulated Uwanna on his elevation to the prestigious rank of SAN, describing him as one of the strong pillars of his administration.
“We thank God for the elevation of our son, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. We also thank those who took the decision because the SAN came after we had already appointed him as Attorney-General,” Otti said.
He noted that Uwanna had added immense value to the administration through his dedication and commitment.
“Ikechukwu Uwanna is one of the major pillars of this administration. He works very hard and contributes to virtually everything we do, whether it has to do with law or not,” the governor added.
Otti also thanked former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uche Ogah, for publicly acknowledging the achievements of his administration despite belonging to a different political party.
He criticised some opposition figures whom he accused of deliberately denying visible achievements for political reasons.
“Some people think it is customary to deny achievements simply because the person delivering them is not from their political party. But after elections comes governance,” Otti said.
He added that it was contrary to Igbo values for individuals to deny obvious development.
“You cannot see a road that has been constructed and say it was not done. You cannot see a road built by someone and credit it to another person. If you do that, you are not being truthful,” the governor said.
He, however, stressed that his administration would not be distracted by criticisms.
“For us, we do not even want to respond. Our response is more work. One thing you can be sure of is that this is your government. For the first time, Abia people have taken over their government,” Otti said.
Earlier in his remarks, Ogah congratulated Uwanna on his elevation and commended the governor for appointing him as Attorney-General.
The APC chieftain also praised Otti for what he described as visible and people-oriented governance across the state.
Ogah reaffirmed his support for Otti’s second-term bid in 2027 as well as for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I have said it repeatedly and I will say it again: in 2027, I will support you. My family will support you, Isuikwuato will support you, and Abia people will support you,” he said.
According to him, good governance must be acknowledged irrespective of political affiliation.
“I am an APC member and I have not changed. But when it comes to the governor, I stand with Alex Otti, and when it comes to the President, I stand with Bola Ahmed Tinubu because I want good things for Abia,” Ogah stated.
He said that the improved payment of salaries and pensions in the state had significantly reduced the financial burden on him from residents seeking assistance.
In his response, Uwanna thanked the people of Isuikwuato for organising the civic reception in his honour and expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for prioritising education in the state.
He said the administration’s free education policy would transform the state.
“Without education, I would not be where I am today. I am happy that His Excellency has prioritised education. That opportunity given to every Abian will transform the state,” Uwanna said.
He also commended the governor for ongoing school renovations, recruitment of teachers, and the construction of a new Faculty of Law at Abia State University, which he described as world-class.
The event attracted prominent figures from the political, legal, and business communities, including the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Amobi Ogah, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ken Ahia, who both congratulated Uwanna and pledged continued support for the Otti administration.
