Abia State Governor , Dr Alex Otti, has warned against any attempt to reverse the current developmental trajectory made by his administration, stressing that Abians must collectively protect the progress already achieved in the State.
Governor Otti gave the warning on Sunday, during the State Conference of Aba North Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Okpulu- Umuobo, Aba.
The Governor, who described his emergence in 2023 as an act of divine intervention, said his administration was on a “divine journey” to rebuild the state and reposition it for sustainable development.
He urged residents of the State to continue to support visionary leadership capable of sustaining the momentum of development beyond his tenure.
Governor Otti further emphasised that future leaders of the state would face greater expectations from the people, noting that governance in Abia must never return to what he described as the “old order”.
“So anyone who makes an attempt to take us back, we will not allow it. And it’s not about me; it’s about all of us”, Governor Otti said.
The Governor noted that his administration has restored the dignity and pride of Abians by reversing years of poor governance, neglect and negative public perception associated with the state.
He added that one of the major reasons he ventured into politics was the embarrassment and sympathy he constantly encountered whenever he identified himself as an indigene of Abia State.
Governor Otti stated that before the emergence of his administration in 2023, Abians were often viewed with pity across the country because of the state’s poor condition and leadership failures.
“One of the major reasons I came to contest the election was that everywhere I went at that time and introduced myself as coming from Abia State, people started sympathising with you. They said, ‘You people have been unlucky’.
“It’s not about being unlucky. It’s the choice that we’ve made. And then I said, no, we can’t continue to be unlucky. So we left what we were doing to come and see if we could rescue the state”, the Governor said.
He noted that although his administration had not spent up to three years in office, the visible transformation across Abia had already altered public perception about the state and its people.
According to Governor Otti, the restoration of confidence and respect for Abians remains the greatest achievement of his administration.
The Governor assured residents that his administration would continue extending developmental projects to rural communities and hinterlands that had long been neglected.
He stressed that his government was only beginning its developmental journey, describing ongoing infrastructural and economic reforms as “a tip of the iceberg”.
“In a few days, we will be three years in office. Sometimes some people forget that we are under three years. By the time we have done eight years, I’m sure you can imagine what this place will look like.
“So some of the things that have not been done, don’t worry. There are also a lot of streets that have not been touched. But then, we are getting into the hinterland now, and it (development) will continue like that”, he added.
Governor Otti while reflecting on his political journey, recalled that many political observers initially doubted his chances because he was not regarded as a conventional politician.
The Governor attributed his eventual victory in the 2023 governorship election to divine intervention, insisting that leadership ultimately comes at God’s appointed time.
“People actually didn’t give us any chance. They said, ‘Oh, he’s not a politician. He doesn’t know how to play the game.’ Of course, we struggled two times. But at that time, we were learning the ropes”, he said.
Governor Otti commended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for supporting his administration, through the donation of a fully paid MRI machine to the Abia State teaching hospital Aba.
“We received an MRI machine for our teaching hospital in Aba. I understand the machine is on its way, but it has been paid for fully by the church. So I want to say thank you”, the Governor disclosed.
He further called for unity among Christian denominations, noting that all believers shared a common faith in Jesus Christ despite doctrinal differences.
“There are no major differences between what you believe in and what other churches believe in. We all believe in Jesus Christ. We believe in the Son of the Living God,” he added.
In his sermon, an Elder of the church, Asuquo Udobong emphasised the core teachings and beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, urging members to remain steadfast in faith, charity, peace and righteous living despite global uncertainties and challenges.
Elder Asuquo who spoke extensively on the church’s Articles of Faith, said members of the church believe in God the Eternal Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost, stressing that individuals would be held accountable for their personal actions and sins.
He explained that salvation comes through the atonement of Jesus Christ and obedience to the principles and ordinances of the Gospel, including faith, repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Elder Asuquo also highlighted the church’s belief in divine revelation, prophecy, healing, honesty, obedience to constituted authority and peaceful coexistence with people of other faiths and backgrounds, adding that the church remains committed to spreading the Gospel across the world irrespective of persecution or opposition.
The church service also featured the presentation of the Book of Mormon; a sacred text of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Governor Otti.
The Governor thereafter inspected several ongoing road projects in Aba, including Umuchichi Road off Okpulo-Umuobo, Afor-Ule Road, Nigerian Breweries Road, Obohia Road, Eche Road, as well as the borrow pit located along Obohia Road.
