2027 won’t distract governance, says Otti

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Tuesday said political activities ahead of the 2027 elections would not distract his administration from delivering good governance in the state.

Otti stated this in his office while receiving members of the Old Students Association of the Federal School of Arts and Science, Aba, who expressed confidence in his re-election and urged him to complete his ongoing projects.

The governor stressed that his administration remained focused on service delivery despite the emerging political climate.

“About 2027, we don’t let it distract us, but you have a point. Primaries will happen within the month, and then elections will be next year. But we know that the Abia people are not stupid.

“They know what is good for them. Because of that, we also know that it’s all about politics. And I’m not too sure that there is someone who would want to throw away what is good,” he said.

Otti expressed confidence that his administration would complete its mandate, attributing the assurance to divine guidance.

“This place is God’s own state. So, at the time that it pleased God, he made changes here.

“And God doesn’t have unfinished business or an unfinished project.

“So, we are confident that we will complete the project that we have been asked to do by Abians,” he added.

The governor commended the alumni for their decision to renovate one of the hostels in their alma mater, describing the move as commendable.

“I want to also thank you for your decision to fix one of the hostels.

“It is a very laudable action that you have done, because you could have as well ignored it. I’m sure there are a lot of members of your school who may not even be coming to these meetings.

“So, I want to congratulate you and encourage you to continue, because your story cannot be told without this school,” Otti said.

He also appreciated the association for choosing Abia as the host of its bi-annual meeting, noting that the decision reflected improved security and development in the state.

Otti disclosed that his administration supported the Geometric Power project to ensure a stable electricity supply, commending the efforts of Prof Bart Nnaji in driving the initiative.

He added that the state had signed an agreement and was at the point of payment to acquire the Umuahia ring-fenced area of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, noting that the move would extend power supply to more local government areas.

“So, there’s excess power. Of course, with an additional turbine, it will be able to generate 188 megawatts. So, the whole idea is to take excess power from Aba to the other eight local governments in Abia Central and Abia North.

“We’ve also set up the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency. And so right now, everything about regulation is within the state. So, we will be detached from the national electricity grid,” he said.

Earlier, the President of the association, Tony Ejieji, commended the governor for his developmental strides, noting that the state had become more peaceful and attractive for events.

He said the association chose Abia for its meeting due to the improved security and ongoing projects across the state, urging the governor to sustain the pace of development.

Ejieji added that the alumni had commenced renovation of a hostel in their alma mater and lauded ongoing infrastructural projects, including the Geometric Power Plant.

The meeting was attended by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, among other government officials and appointees.