Dr. Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor has explained why he did not address the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu's claim that he would be the last Labour Party (LP) governor, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) expected to take over in 2027.
Hon. Kalu recently asserted that it would be unacceptable for him, as the sixth-ranking official in Nigeria, to see Abia State governed by a party other than the APC in 2027.
Otti, addressing journalists at Government House, Umuahia during his media parley yesterday, explained his silence on Kalu’s remark. He noted that predicting the future would be unwise, emphasizing that power is in God's hands, not man's.
“It is foolhardy for me to speculate about the future. I chose not to respond to Ben Kalu’s comment because I believe that power is in God's hands, and He bestows it as He wills. I’m not in a position to predict what will happen in 2027. I don’t claim to play God.” He said.
Regarding the controversy over the Labour Party’s extended stakeholders meeting, which was boycotted by the embattled National Chairman, Julius Abure, Governor Otti clarified that the meeting held in Umuahia on Wednesday was aimed at restoring harmony within the party, despite Abure’s actions and others’ objections.
He further remarked that anyone who observed the meeting, which resulted in the appointment of former Finance Minister, Nenadi Usman and Darlington Nwokocha to lead a 29-member interim committee, would see that the attendees were pleased with the outcome.
Otti stated, “I believe our actions were in the best interest of the party. We are committed to ensuring that the party remains a viable political force in Nigeria.”
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He also announced that the government has commenced Phase 2 of upgrading ABSUTH to enhance service delivery. Additionally, 200 primary healthcare centers in the state are set to be retrofitted, a project scheduled to be completed within 100 days.
The Governor added that Amachara General Hospital received a significant boost with the opening of a new eye clinic, where 600 patients had their eyes examined on the inaugural day.
