NEWS
“WE DON’T EVEN WANT TO RESPOND, OUR RESPONSE IS MORE WORK” — Governor Alex Otti Fires Back at Opposition, Says Abia People Have Finally Taken Ownership of Their Government
The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has declared that his administration will not be distracted by opposition criticisms, stressing that the best response to detractors remains sustained development and hard work for the people of the State.
Governor Otti made the statement on Saturday, March 14, 2026, during a grand civic reception held at Annunco Secondary School, Isiukwuato, organized by the Isiukwuato Local Government Council in honour of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the State, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, SAN, who was recently elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The Governor began his address by thanking God for the elevation of Barr. Uwanna to the elite rank within the legal profession and described him as one of the strongest pillars of his administration.
“We want to thank God for the elevation of our son, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna to the chambers where only the revered trade – Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
“We thank God for him. We thank God for using the body to confirm our decision to give him the role of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, because you will agree with me that the SAN came after we had appointed him.
“So, we want to thank the people that took that decision, and we want to confirm that they made a good decision.
“Ikechukwu Uwanna is one of the major pillars of this administration. And, we are very glad to have him because he is adding value. He works very hard… He jumps into everything that we want him to jump into, whether they have to do with law or not.
“Anything that has to do with this administration, and we need help, he jumps in to help.
“So, I want to publicly acknowledge what he has been to this administration and thank the Isiukwuato people for producing such a fantastic son,” Governor Otti stated.
Governor Otti also used the occasion to appreciate the former Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Abia-born industrialist and influential APC chieftain in the State, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, for openly acknowledging the visible achievements of his administration despite political differences.
“I want to also take this opportunity to thank our brother, the former Minister (Dr. Uche Ogah), for his very kind words. You listened to him. Some people think that it is customary to begin to deny achievements because somebody does not belong to their party. And, I had always said that after election comes governance.
“So, it is an anathema for Igbo people, so when you see some people mount the rostrum and begin to talk anyhow, we need to go and check if they are truly Igbo people because Igbo people are honest people.
“You cannot see a road that was done, and you say it wasn’t done. You cannot see a road that somebody did, and you credit it to somebody else. If you do that, you are not an Igbo man.
“But for us, we don’t even want to respond. Our response is more work… one thing you can be sure of is that this is your government.
“So, we want to thank him and honour him for standing by the truth, and there are a lot of our sons and daughters that behave like him. We may not agree, but you can’t come out publicly and begin to tell lies.
“For the first time, Abia people have taken over their Government. Anybody who wants to stand against Abia people, let him come, let’s see him,” Governor Otti stated.
Earlier in his goodwill message, Dr. Uche Ogah congratulated Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna on his elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and thanked the Governor for appointing him as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the State.
The Abia-born business mogul and influential APC chieftain used the opportunity to openly commend Governor Otti for what he described as visible, impactful and people-centered governance across the State, noting that the administration’s policies have significantly reduced the financial burden previously placed on him by citizens seeking assistance during past administrations.
In a bold political declaration, Dr. Ogah also reaffirmed his support for Governor Otti ahead of the 2027 elections as well as for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We are glad Your Excellency that you are here. I am a man that when I believe in something, you only need to bring out my dead father for me to change my mind. I have said it time without number, and I will still say it again, whether anybody likes to hear it or not; 2027, Uche Ogah will support you, my family will support you, Isiukwuato will support you, Abia will support you, the entire people who love Uche Ogah in Abia will support you.
“Because when you see a good thing, you must recognize it. I keep telling people, it is only someone that cannot see that will not see that light has come into Abia.
“Today, people will be proud to say, I am from Abia State… Today God has answered our prayer, new things are happening, things are moving. Every blessed day, we are hearing good news…”
He further emphasized that supporting good governance should transcend party lines.
“Every Abian must put hand to support this man to complete what God has given him to do for us. It is not about politics. I am an APC person, and I have not changed, and nobody can deny me where I come from. And if you say I’m not from APC, I will show you. I don’t hide it, I am an APC person, but when it has to do with the Governor, I stand with Alex Otti, when it has to do with the President, I stand with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, because I want good things for Abia, it is not about me, it is about the people.
“Today, people in Abia are happy. People are getting their salaries, and pensioners are getting their pensions. Pensioners call me, before now, if you work with me, every month I pay nothing less than 50 million to people, just people coming from Abia, my this, my that, you keep paying but none these days. The call has reduced because people are getting their salaries. People are getting paid,” Dr. Ogah stated.
In his speech, the celebrant, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, SAN, expressed deep appreciation to the people of Isiukwuato Local Government for organizing the civic reception in his honour following his elevation to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
He also thanked Governor Otti for prioritizing education in Abia State, noting that education played a pivotal role in shaping his life and career.
“I want to say something about His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti’s leadership because without education, I wouldn’t be here today. And, I’m happy that His Excellency has prioritized education in his administration. As we know, education is now free in Abia State. That opportunity that His Excellency has given to every Abian, to every person from Isiukwuato to be educated, is what will transform Abia State,” Barr. Uwanna stated.
He further commended the Governor for reconstructing and retrofitting schools across the State, recruiting thousands of teachers, increasing the retirement age of teachers, and initiating the construction of a state-of-the-art Law Faculty at Abia State University, which he described as second to none upon completion.
In their goodwill messages, the lawmaker representing Isiukwuato and Umunneochi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep. Amobi Ogah, and Mr. Ken Ahia, SAN, also congratulated Barr. Uwanna on his elevation and thanked Governor Otti for appointing their son as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the State.
They equally assured the Governor of their continued support.
The colourful event attracted prominent personalities from the political, legal, and business communities, as well as tra
ditional leaders and stakeholders from across Abia State.