Abia govt to honour Nnennaya Otti, announcer of 2023 gubernatorial election result

In what could be described as reward for good deed, the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has announced his administration readiness to honour the retuning officer of the 2023 gubernatorial election of the State, also the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, Professor Nnennaya Otti, for upholding truth and integrity and refusing to compromise standards during the general elections.

Governor Otti who was speaking at the Enyimba International Stadium Aba, during a grand civic reception held in his honour by the Old Bende people under the umbrella of the Old Bende Progressive Union, comprising the eight LGAs of Old Bende including the people of Edda in Ebonyi State.

The State number one citizen, who described the returning officer as a woman of integrity and credibility, noted that her uncommon courage during the 2023 Governorship election earned her the respect of all Nigerians and congratulated her on the honour done her by the people.

The Governor noted that Abia people have many awards to bestow on her, assuring that his administration would immortalise her at the appropriate time, because she has set a new template for Nigeria.

“This is still early morning, we will invite her at the appropriate time and immortalise her. I want to tell her that she has set a new template for Nigeria. Anytime people are talking about integrity and credibility, they are looking in her way. She may not have collected the money, but she collected something greater than money”, he said.

Otti urged public officers across the country to emulate her example by standing for truth and justice at all times irrespective of personal gains.

On 2027 election, the Abia Chief Executive cautioned political actors against premature politicking ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that 2027 elections is in the hands of God.

“Those who boast, I want to advise them to stop boasting. You may not be here in 2027. If you want to play God or speak like God, I will leave you in the hands of God”, he cautioned.

The Governor stressed that his administration’s priority remains service delivery and fulfillment of the mandate given to him by the people of the State.

He added that he will try his best to avoid anything that could distract his administration from focusing on the primary needs of Abians.

“We have a lot of work to do. Let us focus on the mandate that has been given to us. At the appropriate time, it is you the citizens who would decide who will lead you”, he further said.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Old Bende Progressive Union and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Chief Azubuike Udah,Rtd, described the event as a collective endorsement of the Governor’s transformational leadership since assumption of office.

Chief Udah, who lauded Governor Otti’s remarkable strides across all sectors of the State economy, noted that the people of Old Bende, known for their industriousness, hospitality, and support for worthy causes, are united in passing a unanimous vote of confidence on the Governor.