Alex Otti has called on residents of Abia State to safeguard the progress recorded by his administration, insisting that the state must not be allowed to return to what he described as the “old order.”
Otti made the call on Sunday during the State Conference of Aba North Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held at Okpulu-Umuobo, Aba.
The governor urged Abians to resist any attempt to derail the developmental strides currently being witnessed in the state, stressing that his administration remains committed to rebuilding Abia and positioning it for sustainable growth.
Describing his emergence as governor in 2023 as an act of divine intervention, Otti said his administration was on a mission to restore the state’s lost glory and improve the lives of the people.
He further encouraged residents to continue supporting visionary leadership capable of sustaining the pace of development beyond his tenure.
According to him, future leaders in the state would be held to higher standards by the people, adding that governance in Abia must never return to the era of poor leadership and stagnation.
“So anyone who wants to take us backward, we will not allow it. It is not just about me; it is about all of us,” Otti stated.
The governor noted that his administration has restored the dignity and confidence of Abians by reversing years of neglect, poor governance, and negative public perception associated with the state.
He revealed that one of the reasons he ventured into politics was the embarrassment and sympathy he often faced whenever he identified himself as an indigene of Abia State.
According to Otti, before his administration came on board in 2023, many Nigerians viewed Abians with pity because of the condition of the state and the failures of previous leadership.
“That was the reality at the time, and I felt we could not continue like that. So we left what we were doing to come and help rescue the state,” he said.
Otti maintained that restoring respect and pride to the people of Abia remains one of the biggest achievements of his administration.
He added that his government would continue extending developmental projects to rural communities and other neglected areas across the state.