COMMENTARY
Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Abia State Coordinator, Chief Henry Iko, Hails Governor Alex Otti’s Visible Achievements, Says President Tinubu Mandated Courtesy Visit to Encourage More Development
The Abia State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, the political support structure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Iko, has commended Governor Alex Otti for what he described as visible and impactful achievements across critical sectors of the Abia State economy.
Chief Iko gave the commendation on Wednesday during an interview with journalists shortly after paying a private courtesy visit to Governor Otti at his country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State.
Speaking as a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Iko explained that his visit to the Governor was carried out on the mandate of President Tinubu, stressing that the engagement was aimed at encouraging the Governor to sustain and deepen the pace of development in the state. He further offered prayers for divine strength and courage for Governor Otti to continue delivering democratic dividends to Abia people.
According to him, “I’m here today to visit our Governor, the Governor of Abia State. I am the Abia State Coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassador.
“We have come to visit the Governor with a message from Mr. President, through our Director-General, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
“We have come to wish him well. Mr. President has mandated us to come and see few responsible people in our State. And as you can agree with me, the Governor is the number one citizen of this State.
“That is why I came to wish him well. To wish him progress. To also remind him that we have seen what he is doing in this State.
“That moving forward, God will give him the courage to do more. Because democracy has come to stay. Abia people are committed to making sure that development gets to the whole grassroots.
“So far, he is doing things that we can see. Mr. President has asked us to remind all of them that as a President, he wants the State to do more.”
Chief Iko further disclosed that Governor Otti, during their interaction, reaffirmed his commitment to doing more for the people of Abia State in line with his development targets and vision for the state. He noted that the Governor expressed readiness to intensify efforts towards achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ Coordinator also acknowledged the Governor’s prudent management of statutory allocations received from the Federal Government, while extending appreciation to President Tinubu for initiating reforms that have improved fund flow to states.
In his words, “When you look at Abia State, you will agree with me that there are certain visible things that you can see that have not been there before.
“And in practice, we can feel, we can see what is happening here. And I want to encourage him (Gov. Otti) to do more.
“First and foremost, I have to give Mr. President the credit. Because Mr. President has been able to send more funds to all the various States through his reforms.”
Responding to speculations on whether the visit was aimed at persuading Governor Otti to defect to the APC, Chief Iko dismissed such claims, clarifying that the visit was strictly non-partisan and not intended to discuss party affiliation.
“I am not here to ask him to join APC or not to join APC. I am not going to talk about that. His Excellency is the Governor. It is up to him to join or not to join,” He stated emphatically.
Chief Henry Ikechukwu Iko, who is a former Minister of Science and Technology, was accompanied on the visit by other APC stalwarts, including Pastor Emeka Inyama and other party chieftains, underscoring the 
significance of the engagement.