Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reassured Abians that his administration remains focused on delivering massive infrastructure and institutional reforms across the state.
Speaking during a Grand Civic Reception organised by the Old Bende people in his honour at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba, the Governor said the event has renewed his resolve to deepen good governance and accelerate development across all sectors of the state’s economy.
Governor Otti, who declared that “this is still early morning” in reference to the stage of his administration’s developmental journey, commended the Old Bende people for organising the grand civic reception in his honour.
“I want to first of all thank the Old Bende people for coming out with this initiative.
“Some of the modest contributions we have made are there in the brochure, but I would like to assure our people that this is still early morning. We have jumped down 29 months and there is still a lot of work to be done,” he said.
Governor Otti also used the occasion to highlight Abia’s improved fiscal performance, revealing that the state has been rated number four nationally in fiscal discipline and number one in capital expenditure ratio.
“Seventy-seven percent of our expenditure in 2024 went into infrastructure. We believe that in 2025 that number will increase to 85%. That is good governance — when you put money in the things that people want, not in people’s pockets,” the Governor stated.
The Governor disclosed that major attention would be given to upgrading health infrastructure, citing the restoration of accreditation at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) as a key milestone.
He added that by June next year, the facilities at Abia State Specialist Hospital, Aba Road, Umuahia, and Amachara Annex would boast world-class equipment.
The Governor cautioned political actors against premature politicking ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the 2027 elections are in the hands of God.
“The only remark I would like to make about 2027 is that it is in the hands of God.
“Those who boast, I want to advise them to stop boasting. You may not be here in 2027. If you want to play God or speak like God, I will leave you in the hands of God,” he cautioned.
Governor Otti stressed that his administration’s priority remains service delivery and fulfilment of the mandate given to him by the people of Abia State.
“Let us not distract ourselves. We have a lot of work to do. Let us focus on the mandate that has been given to us. At the appropriate time, it is you (the masses) that would decide who will lead you,” he said.
On the request made by the Old Bende Progressive Union for the construction and reconstruction of key agricultural and agrarian roads — including the Bende–Igbere–Ozuitem–Akaeze Road, Alayi–Item–Nkporo Road, Umuhu–Isiegbu Road, and Umuchieze–Uturu Road, among others — Governor Otti said he has directed the Commissioner for Works to immediately undertake assessment.
In his remarks, the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, commended Governor Alex Otti for the impressive turnaround in road infrastructure across Abia State, particularly the rehabilitation of key federal roads.
Sen. Umahi disclosed that President Tinubu has approved the handover of several federal roads to the Abia State Government for reconstruction, in recognition of Governor Otti’s commitment to quality infrastructure and for the benefit of Abians.
The Minister further revealed that the contractor handling the Aba–Port Harcourt section of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway has returned to site to ensure the timely completion of the project and added that Governor Otti has been granted the authority to supervise the project to its completion.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Old Bende Progressive Union, Chief Azubuike Udah, described the event as a collective endorsement of the Governor’s transformational leadership since assumption of office.
Chief Udah, who lauded Governor Otti’s remarkable strides across all sectors of the state’s economy, observed that Abia had long “stood at the crossroads of potential paralysis,” and expressed delight that, under the present administration, the state is now experiencing a new dawn marked by purposeful leadership and visible development.
The former Police DIG noted that the people of Bende, known for their industriousness, hospitality, and support for worthy causes, were united in passing a unanimous vote of confidence on Dr. Otti and his administration.
He, however, appealed for the inclusion of several rural and agrarian roads in Bende and neighbouring communities of Ebonyi State to enhance agricultural productivity and ease the movement of goods and people, and assured the Governor of the support of the Bende people as he advances the development of the state.
The event also featured goodwill messages from the immediate past Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Okochukwu; the Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mbah; the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe; and the Member representing Abia North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Alex Ikwuecheghi, among other dignitaries.
