Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has cautioned the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, against making misleading statements about the state’s finances and engaging in premature political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Otti issued the caution on Thursday during the October edition of the monthly media parley tagged “Governor Alex Otti Speaks,” held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia, where he responded to questions from journalists on various issues affecting the state.
While addressing a question about his relationship with the Deputy Speaker, Otti acknowledged that he and Kalu shared a long-standing personal bond, describing him as his friend and “younger brother.”
The Governor, however, criticised Kalu’s recent public remarks, which he described as misinformed and unbecoming of his exalted office.
He said, “This is the second time that he has come out publicly to berate the administration and myself. But I think I want to forgive him. Do I feel threatened? Absolutely not.
“I think he has a few challenges. One of them is what is described as hubris. And closely related to that challenge is also what I would, for want of a better word, describe as information deficiency syndrome, where you are supposed to be in a place where you have information, but you don’t have the real information.”
Governor Otti faulted Kalu’s claim that Abia State receives between ₦38 billion and ₦40 billion monthly from the Federation Account, saying such statements were misleading.
“It would be sad if somebody comes out and says that the state government receives 38 to 40 billion.
“Whatever you say should be taken very, very seriously if you are number six. Those who know better have shown that we receive just about half of that, and it’s not for me to argue,” the Governor emphasized.
He urged political figures to be guided by truth and to concentrate on their official responsibilities rather than speculative politicking.
Governor Otti emphasized that the will of God and the mandate of the people will determine who wins the 2027 governorship election in the state and warned that nobody should contemplate rigging results against people’s will.
The Governor advised politicians to wait for the official campaign period before making political declarations in order not to be disqualified by the electoral body before the elections.
“I hear he wants to run for governorship in 2027. That’s fine, it is his fundamental human right. Nobody should stop him, but again, we must respect the law.
“If INEC releases the timetable and says it is the time that campaigns start, if you start campaigning before then, you put yourself in harm’s way. You could even be disqualified before the election.
“So when you gather people and you are telling them they are going to take over the state in 2027; you are campaigning. It’s not right.
“So, I would plead with him that if he wants to run for election, he should hold his fire. Once INEC blows the whistle, he should go and pick up a form and begin to campaign,” Otti added.
The Governor reaffirmed his confidence and commitment to peace in the state, stating that his administration would not be distracted by political provocations.
“We have managed, in the last two years plus, to keep this place peaceful. We should continue to maintain the peace. Nobody can intimidate us,” he stated.
He stressed that his administration remains focused on fulfilling his mandate to Abians and on upholding good governance.
