I’ve no issue with my critics but can’t pay attention to blackmailers – Otti declares

*Warns against turning political parties to war instruments

*Receives Senator Kalu

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has declared that he does not have any issues with critics of his administration but said he was too busy to respond to those seeking his attention through blackmailing his administration.

Responding to a question on the antics of the opposition in the state during the June edition of his Monthly Media Chat held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia on Friday, June 21, 2024, Dr. Otti said that as Governor, he was working for the welfare wellbeing of every Abian, irrespective of party affiliations.

He maintained that after elections and litigations, the primary interest becomes governance, while political party issues and politicking take the back seat.

The Governor said his doors were wide open to receive from every Abian, no matter his party, positive contributions that would promote the development of the state, as well as the wellbeing of her people.

He explained that as a result of his open-mindedness, he attended a function organised by the People Democratic Party in Umuahia recently and equally received a former Governor of the state who is also the Senator representing Abia North, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, in his Nvosi, Isialangwa South country home last Friday, a forum he used to preach that governance should override political party difference.

Governor Otti said he was not bothered by criticisms, provided they were factual, adding that he also has no time for those criticizing him with their own manufactured set of facts just to grab his attention.

“We don’t really have issues with people who criticize, particularly the criticisms based on facts. Like someone said, opinions can be held by anybody. You can hold your opinion and you are entitled to it, what you are not entitled to are your own set of facts. We have a few people who will go and manufacture data and facts that are untrue. If they are untrue, they can’t be facts and they will continue publishing them in the social media because the social media is very democratic: all you need is a device and data and then you can become and editor,” he said.

“Some of them,” he continued, “we don’t respond to them; some of them are sounding like broken records – they keep saying the same thing and they believe that by lying several times, the lies will become truth. But I think we are too busy to even pay them attention.”

He said it was to demonstrate that he was focused on providing good governance which would bring about improved welfare and wellbeing of Abians that he has opened his door wide open to receive anyone with positive contributions to make Abia better, irrespective of political party affiliations.

“It may interest you to know that part of the reason why I came in slightly late (to the Media Chat) was that I was receiving the former Governor of the State who is the Senator representing the good people of Abia North Senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu. He came to visit me this afternoon.

“That is to also demonstrate that what we are talking about now is the welfare and wellbeing of our people, irrespective of political party differences.

“The other day, I was at an event hosted by the Peoples Democratic Party and that was the celebration of Senator Adolphus Nwabara. While some people advised that I shouldn’t go, I went there. And the message is the same: that as a Governor, I am not the Governor of one party, but Governor of the state and once you come from or live in this state, then you should have a stake in what is happening in government,” Governor Otti said.

Meanwhile, Governor Otti and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu have restated their beliefs that political party differences should not be allowed to negatively affect the development interests of Abia State.

Their opinion came to the fore when the Governor received Senator Orji Uzor Kalu last Friday, June 21, 2024, in his Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South country home.

Kalu explained that the visit was to consult with Governor Otti and give him progress reports from the National Assembly.

Dr. Otti, while receiving Senator Kalu and his entourage, reaffirmed his philosophy that once elections and litigations were over, partisan politics takes the back seat while governance takes the front stage, saying that he was the Governor of Abia State and not the Governor of any political party.

“Like I have always maintained, once after elections and probably litigations are over, political platforms take the back seat and Governance takes the front seat. So, it is in that spirit that I welcome you, not as a member of a different political party but as the servant of the people of Abia State of which you are one of them,” the Abia Chief Executive told his guests.

The Governor further stated that, “a political party that anybody belongs to is his choice. But, once you are from Abia or you live in Abia, you are part and parcel of this Government.”

He thanked Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for recognising and agreeing with him that political parties were not instruments of war but a mere platform, adding that every Abian wants good governance which he (Governor Otti) was working with his team to give to Abia people.

The Governor also hailed Senator Orji Kalu for periodically offering valuable advice to him and thanked him for coming in fulfillment of his promise after not being able to attend his first anniversary dinner. 

Earlier in his speech, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu had said that he came to consult with the Governor and give him progress report on the National Assembly, stressing that the important thing was about the progress of Abia State and not which political party anyone belonged to.

“As a former Governor, it is important that consultation continues and I came to discuss some issues pertaining to the state and to Nigeria as a Country and give you progress report of what is happening in the National Assembly,” he said, adding that leadership was about the burden and not the party, reiterating that developing the state outweighs every other consideration.

“Let us not look at what party we belong to, let us look at what we can do for Abia. Let’s keep our political flags and our political parties in our rooms, let’s develop our State,” the Senator counseled.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, in a statement, quoted Senator Kalu as thanking Governor Otti for receiving him and his entourage at very short notice and giving them quality time despite his busy schedule.