NEWS
“Nobody Needs to Campaign for Governor Otti, His Works Will Campaign for Him” — Bishop Echema Says, as Catholic Diocese of Aba Honours Governor Alex Otti, Endorses His Transformational Leadership
The Catholic Diocese of Aba on Sunday, June 14, 2026, made history as it celebrated and honoured the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, during a special thanksgiving Mass held at Christ the King Catholic Church (CKC), Aba.
The remarkable event brought together clergy, church leaders, government officials, and worshippers who gathered to acknowledge what was widely described as Governor Otti’s people-oriented leadership and transformative impact across Abia State, particularly in Aba, the state’s commercial nerve centre.
Delivering his sermon during the service, the Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Professor Augustine Ndubueze Echema, emphasized that true leadership is rooted in service, compassion, and commitment to the welfare of the people. Drawing inspiration from Matthew 9:36, the Bishop reflected on how Jesus Christ was moved with compassion for the multitude because their leaders had failed them.
Applying the biblical lesson to contemporary governance, Bishop Echema likened Governor Otti to a leader who has demonstrated genuine concern and empathy for the people of Abia State through his actions and policies.
“We have a man of integrity and nobody needs to campaign for Governor Otti. His works will campaign for him.
“You are worth supporting. This is the first time the Catholic Diocese of Aba is honoring a Governor,” Most Rev. Professor Echema said.
The Bishop commended Governor Otti for restoring hope to the people and for demonstrating that government exists primarily to serve citizens. He expressed appreciation for the administration’s efforts in addressing long-standing developmental challenges and improving the quality of life of Abians.
Beyond the commendation, the cleric also encouraged Catholic faithful across the Diocese to actively participate in the democratic process by taking advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise and obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), stressing the importance of civic responsibility in shaping the future of society.
In separate goodwill messages, the three major organs of the Catholic Church—the Catholic Men Organisation (CMO), Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), and Catholic Youth Organisation (CYO) praised Governor Otti’s administration for its visible achievements and inclusive governance style.
The groups described the Governor as a “silent achiever” whose developmental strides have positively impacted ordinary citizens. They particularly highlighted the transformation of Aba, recalling years when residents struggled with deplorable road conditions and poor infrastructure before the coming of the current administration.
As a mark of appreciation and recognition, each of the Church organizations presented special gifts to Governor Otti in honour of his service to the people.
Responding to the honour bestowed on him, Governor Otti expressed profound gratitude to the Catholic Diocese of Aba and its various organizations for what he described as a rare and sincere endorsement.
“Even if you pay the Catholic Church a billion dollars, they will not do the wrong thing. This is your government and we will never disappoint you,” the Governor reassured.
Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to delivering good governance and improving the living conditions of Abians. He noted that while significant progress had already been made in critical sectors, the state was only beginning to unlock its full development potential.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet. We have just dealt with the hygiene issues, cleaning up the environment, roads, water, etc.
“We are now focusing more on Healthcare, Education, Technology, Industrialization and others.
“We will soon embark on the complete recovery of Aba by flagging off the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express. Any project we can’t find the money for, we don’t start.
“We have found the money. It is in the bank, and the flag-off will happen soon,” Governor Otti stated.
The Governor’s remarks underscored his administration’s fiscal discipline and commitment to executing only projects backed by available resources, a policy that has become a defining feature of his governance model.
Further demonstrating his appreciation for the Church’s support and developmental initiatives, Governor Otti pledged assistance towards the ongoing CMO Secretariat Project as well as other projects being championed by the CWO and CYO, representing the men, women, and youth of the Diocese.
The historic recognition by the Catholic Diocese of Aba is widely seen as a significant endorsement of Governor Otti’s leadership style and developmental agenda. It also reflects the growing confidence among faith-based institutions and citizens in the administration’s efforts to rebuild infrastructure, restore public trust, and reposition Abia State for sustainable growth and prosperity.
