NEWS
Gov. Alex Otti to Clear 24-Year Arrears of Former Abia Councillors, Commences Batch Payments This Month, Secures Unanimous 2027 Endorsement
…as Arrears of Salaries and Entitlements Owed to Former Elected Councillors Who Served Between 1999 and 2023 to be Cleared.
…says it’s “A Matter of Justice, Not Politics”
In a landmark move aimed at correcting longstanding injustices in Abia State’s local government system, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has announced that his administration will commence the payment of arrears of salaries and entitlements owed to former elected councillors who served between 1999 and 2023.
The cheering announcement was made on Sunday at the JAAC Secretariat, Umuahia, during an interface with over 1,000 members of the Association of Elected Former Councillors of Abia State, led by their State Coordinator, Hon. Tony Agbanyim.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Otti assured the former councillors that the long-awaited payments would begin before the end of the month and would be executed in batches to ensure a seamless process.
“So, I’m told that everything should be set by the end of this month. So, what that means is that by the end of this month, we will start the payment in batches.
“The reason why we are doing this is not politics. Our political party is there. But quite frankly, whether you are a member of my party or you are not, you will be treated fairly and equally,’” Governor Otti assured.
The Governor emphasized that his decision to offset the accumulated arrears was borne out of moral responsibility rather than political expediency. While appreciating the group for their commendation of his administration’s modest achievements and their endorsement of his prospective 2027 governorship bid, he reiterated his guiding principle of always doing what is right.
He stressed that leadership is fundamentally about stewardship and problem-solving.
“So, when this proposal came to me, I didn’t actually know about it..
“We try to solve all the problems that we met. When you are given a position of leadership which I have defined as stewardship, it is for you to solve problems,” he said.
Governor Otti also commended members of the association who had previously sought redress in court for withdrawing their cases following the government’s intervention.
“And then, when we looked at everything, we found that there was need to do a little bit more work. Some people were in courts, some people had been paid based on court orders. I said, okay, let’s harmonise all these.
“Bring out all the matters in court, because when people go to court, they feel injured, they feel treated unjustly.
“So, since we are going to deal with everything, all the matters in court should be brought out. And I want to thank all of you, because I’m told that, there’s no matter in court anymore.
“Everyone of them has been brought out. And that builds confidence, because you haven’t been paid, but you already have chosen the path of reconciliation,” Governor Otti stated.
In their goodwill messages, prominent political figures including the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Sen. Darlington Nwokocha, the Member representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Rep. Ginger Onwusibe, and the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Augustine Nmeregini, lauded the Governor for granting audience to the former councillors.
They assured the gathering that Governor Otti’s commitment is unwavering, describing his word as dependable and binding. They urged the former councillors to continue supporting the administration to enable the consolidation of its achievements beyond 2027.
Senator Nwokocha further disclosed that the Labour Party would soon commence a registration drive and invited the former councillors to identify with the party.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, expressed regret that previous administrations denied the former councillors their legitimate entitlements. He thanked God for what he described as a compassionate and reform-minded leader in Governor Otti, whose administration is committed to correcting past wrongs and reshaping the governance narrative in Abia State.
He appreciated the former councillors for their service to the State and expressed optimism that collaboration with them would further advance the Governor’s vision.
In a show of overwhelming support, the Association of Elected Former Councillors of Abia State (1999–2022) passed a vote of confidence on Governor Otti and unanimously adopted him as their sole governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
The motion was moved by Barr. Geoffrey Ike (Nwateacher) and seconded by Chief Ndukwe Oju Uka.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Hon. Tony Agbanyim delivered an emotional address, recounting the prolonged hardship endured by members due to non-payment of their entitlements by successive administrations.
“It has not been easy for us, Your Excellency. We’ve lost more than 80 of us to avoidable deaths. Those we served, we worked with day and night and made Governors.
“Our brothers who were Governors here, were busy buying vessels, buying aeroplanes, establishing Radio and TV houses and newspaper houses everywhere.
“Your Excellency, I want to tell you, when the commissioner said you’ve given instruction that PVs should be recasted and those that don’t have PVs, that local government should prepare PVs for them, that was when we started becoming alive again,” Hon. Agbanyim stated.
He declared that Governor Otti’s emergence signaled divine intervention for Abia State and assured that members would mobilize support for his reelection in 2027.
Also speaking, the Abia North Zonal Coordinator, Hon. Cletus Nwankwo; Abia South Zonal Coordinator, Hon. Okey Onukafor; and Abia Central Coordinator, Chief Francis Nwanguma, maintained that Governor Otti understands “Abia language,” which they described as prompt payment of arrears, fixing dilapidated roads, and revitalizing education and healthcare facilities.
They expressed gratitude for the Governor’s commitment to settle their outstanding entitlements and pledged readiness to partner with his administration in driving the “New Abia” project.
The well-attended meeting drew several senior government appointees, underscoring what many described as another defining moment in Governor Otti’s efforts to restore trust, equity, a
nd accountability in Abia State’s governance framework.