Abia State Governor ,Dr Alex Otti has dismissed the recent comments credited to former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, describing them as “social media noise” unworthy of response.
Recall that Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, recently launched a series of verbal attacks against Governor Otti, withdrawing his earlier support for the Labour Party Governor ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sen. Kalu had described Governor Otti as a one-term Governor, accused him of engaging in gutter politics, and dismissed what he termed as exaggerated claims of achievements, insisting that several ongoing projects were merely rehabilitations of infrastructure executed by past administrations.
He also vowed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would reclaim Abia State in 2027, declaring his resolve to mobilise party structures across the State to defeat the incumbent Governor.
But, speaking on Saturday during the dedication of the newly reconstructed Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church at Umuoriehi Isingwu, Umuahia North LGA, Governor Otti said he would not dignify such comments with any reaction.
The Governor insisted that his administration remains focused on governance, adding that those making such comments were “a tiny minority”.
“Because Pastor Uguru made reference to the noise that you may have been hearing in the last few days. I want us to just dismiss it as noise. You know, it’s always the empty barrel that makes the loudest noise”, he said.
Governor Otti who quoted Isaiah chapter 54, verse 15, further warned politicians against speaking without divine authority.
“As for gathering, as recorded in Isaiah chapter 54, verse 15, it says, Behold, they will surely gather, but the gathering is not of me. And since it’s not of me, what would they do? They will scatter and they will fall for your sake. That’s the holy book.
“And like I’ve always also said, some of these people speaking have forgotten what is written in Lamentations chapter 5, verse 37. And it’s a big charge. Who are you to speak when the Lord has not spoken?”, the Governor said.
The Governor urged Abians not to be distracted, stressing that critics were merely “talking about themselves” and not the people of the State.
“So nobody should worry about them, we don’t even think we should dignify them with responses.We should just do what we are doing.
“In everything, they will not talk about you, Abia people, they are talking about themselves. But they are a tiny minority. God doesn’t make mistakes, and he doesn’t have an unfinished project”, he added.
Governor Otti who clarified that public funds were not used in the renovation of the Church, noted that the intervention aimed at giving the church a facelift was supported by private contributions.
“It’s not correct to say that I did everything. I did a little part of it. The church was standing before now, so what we did was a little renovation because we wanted it to look better.
“Government money did not come in here. We only use government money for government business.
“Those of you who have been here long enough will remember that sometime about 2012… I came here and led the fundraising for the construction of the conference office there. And of course at that time I wasn’t a Governor”, Otti said.
He expressed appreciation to the members she church leadership of the Seventh Day Adventist Church for their prayers and commended the quality of work done on the church.
The Governor also acknowledged the presence of security chiefs at the event, linking it to the commencement of activities marking the Armed Forces Remembrance Day which would culminate on January 15.
Earlier, a pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor E. K. Uguru, while commending Governor Otti for his outstanding infrastructural development across the state, urged him to remain focused and not be distracted by the antics of the opposition.
He noted that the people were pleased with the Governor’s good works and would continue to support his administration.
In his sermon, the President of the Abia North Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastor Kennedy Iheoma, who drew lessons from the biblical account of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife, observed that God took Joseph through the school of affliction as a process of refinement.
Pastor Iheoma explained that affliction, as experienced by Joseph, is often a divine preparation, stressing that when believers undergo trials, God is refining them for greater responsibilities and future elevation.
The Clergyman who titled his sermon, “Can I Be Your Joseph To Interpret The King’s Dream?”, noted that Christians and public office holders, wherever they are appointed to serve, are called to represent the vision and authority of the leader who appointed them, with the responsibility of helping to realise that leader’s dreams and aspirations.
He therefore urged them to discharge their duties with diligence, integrity and commitment.
Pastor Iheoma commended the Governor for the reconstruction of the Church Auditorium, investments in Human Capital Development and the strengthening of governance structures and prayed God to continue to grant the Governor wisdom, strength and divine guidance in the task of leadership.
The Church service featured prayers for the Governor, his cabinet and the State.
