COMMENTARY
GOV. ALEX OTTI SPEAKS TO ABIANS: Gov. Otti Dismisses APC Defection Call, Praises Kalu’s Christmas Philanthropy, Reaffirms Focus on Governance
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, has firmly ruled out engaging with political overtures urging him to defect from the Labour Party, insisting that his administration remains resolutely focused on governance and the delivery of its development agenda for Abians.
Governor Otti made this position clear on Tuesday during the December edition of the Monthly Media Parley, tagged “Governor Otti Speaks,” while responding to questions from journalists on comments credited to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who reportedly invited him to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reacting to the remarks, the Governor said he had taken a conscious and principled decision not to be distracted by political commentary or overtures that could divert attention from the core responsibility of governance.
While carefully steering away from the political substance of the invitation, Governor Otti commended Rt. Hon. Kalu for his recent philanthropic outreach to vulnerable persons during the Christmas season, describing the gesture as timely and commendable. However, he made it clear that beyond acknowledging the charitable act, he would not be drawn into further political exchanges on the matter.
Invoking a famous quote attributed to former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, Governor Otti underscored his administration’s philosophy of focus and discipline in leadership, stating,
“You will never get to your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.”
According to the Governor, the Abia State Government remains unwavering in its commitment to implementing policies and programmes aimed at transforming the state, stressing that distractions of any form would not be allowed to derail its mission.
Addressing the specific reference to the defection invitation, Governor Otti said:
“You specifically mentioned his invitation to me to join APC.
“Ordinarily, I would not respond on matters that have to do with the Right Honourable Benjamin Kalu, but since you have asked, the first thing is to thank him for heeding the call that I made.
“Those of you who listened to my Christmas message, i had called on our people who have means to extend their consideration to the less privileged particularly at this time.
“To see that he heeded that call and distributed rice and some items to vulnerable people, i thank him for doing that. But then I have also taken the principle decision not to dignify all the comments he made with any response,” the Governor said.
The Governor’s remarks reinforce his earlier stance that his priority remains the consolidation of good governance, economic reforms, and people-oriented development in Abia State, rather than partisan politics or distractions ahead of fut
ure political contests.