Governor Alex Otti has made it clear—when it comes to celebrating and working with accomplished Abians, political party affiliations mean nothing to him.
Speaking at the 80th birthday celebration of Senator Chris Adighije in Umuahia, the Labour Party governor emphasized that “brotherhood comes first” before politics.
“I’m political party-blind! If you have a great idea for Abia’s development, I don’t care if you’re from APC, PDP, or APGA—bring it on. But if it’s just empty talk, keep it outside,” Otti declared to a cheering crowd.
A Leader for All Abians
Despite being a Labour Party governor, Otti has made it a tradition to celebrate figures from different political backgrounds. He previously honored PDP’s Senator Adolphus Wabara and APGA’s Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, reinforcing his commitment to unity over division.
He described Adighije as a man of integrity, recalling how he stood against injustice. “Some call hypocrisy ‘political pragmatism.’ If that’s pragmatism, to hell with it! I will never learn it,” he added.
Pension Controversy: Otti Set to Revisit Unpaid Arrears
During a church service earlier, the governor responded to calls to revisit the controversial pension arrears owed to Abia retirees. He blamed the state leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) for complicating the issue, accusing them of siding with opposition figures who left the debts unpaid.
“Somebody owed pensioners for over 10 years, never paid a dime. I cleared N10 billion, and the same people who abandoned them are now speaking on their behalf. Tell them to choose their friends wisely,” Otti stated.
Honoring Senator Adighije
In recognition of his contributions, the governor also inaugurated the Senator Chris Adighije Health Insurance Complex (SCAHIC) at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia. The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi, praised Adighije for his impact and revealed new efforts to digitize the health insurance system and eliminate fraud.
The event drew dignitaries from across Nigeria, including former Senate Presidents David Mark and Adolphus Wabara, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, former Anambra Governor Chris Ngige, and Minister of Finance Wale Edu.
Expressing gratitude, Senator Adighije said he felt deeply honored to be celebrated in such a grand manner. His daughter, Jennifer Adighije, CEO of Niger Delta Power Holding, also thanked Gov. Otti and other guests for making the occasion memorable.
Otti’s message was clear: Abia’s progress is bigger than politics, and his government is open to anyone willing to contribute to its growth.
