Politics
I’ll Dry Your Tears, Otti To Abians
Dr. Alex Otti, the newly appointed Governor of Abia, confidently assures the people of Abia that their sorrowful and impoverished days, caused by ineffective governance, have finally come to an end.
He proclaims his commitment to alleviate their suffering, stating that his purpose is to bring an end to their hardships.
During his inaugural speech at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Monday, Governor Otti emphasizes that he will prioritize governing rather than ruling.
He also promised to abolish “the criminal disparity” in payment of core civil servants and workers in parastatals and agencies as practiced by his predecessor, assuring that all workers will get paid at the same time.
” It gives me pleasure to announce that within the next few days, we shall commence the payment of May 2023 salaries and pensions to all civil servants and retirees in the State.
“There shall be no more distinction between the so-called “core” and “non-core” civil servants. This is a disingenuous expression that was used to hide the wicked habit of owing salaries.
“Whether you are a teacher in a primary or secondary institution owned by the State, a staff of the public health establishments, local government, or work in the judiciary, you shall, beginning from this May, earn your legitimate entitlements as and when due.
“From June 2023, all salary and pension obligations of the State would be settled by the 28th of every month. My commitment during my campaigns to pay off all outstanding salary and pension arrears remains sacrosanct.
“Within the next one week, I shall set up appropriate mechanisms to ensure that all legitimate employees and retirees are identified and paid their due entitlements.”
“My task is to dry your tears and help you to rediscover who you are and lead you back to the pathway of sustainable growth, development, and prosperity”, Otti declared.”
Otti appealed to Abia workers to suspend their strike and help him re-fix the state.
“For all citizens and residents of God’s Own State, this is a time to rebuild. We are fortunate that destiny has placed before our own generation the onerous but historic task of replacing what the flying and creeping locusts, masquerading as leaders, may have consumed these past years. “
Otti declared that Abia would no longer be held bound by cabals, saying that his emergence has ended the era of political servitude.
“Someone should go and tell them that we have decisively broken free from our bondage. We are finally heading to our Promised Land, and we have resolved that we will no longer serve Pharaoh! “
Otti declared state of emergency on waste management to restore the sanitary condition of Abia State.
“A healthy urban environment shall be a major priority for this government. To that effect, I am immediately declaring a state of emergency on refuse disposal and waste management in Aba and Umuahia.
“I am hereby directing the leadership of the state’s environmental management agency, ASEPA to roll out everything at its disposal and see that all refuse heaps within these two cities are promptly evacuated.
“In due course, we shall announce an enduring model to address the challenges of the environment and the future of ASEPA.”
He promised to fulfill his campaign promises to rebuilding and repositioning Abia, and not to look for excuses for failure.
“Our social contract with the good people of Abia State, is that ours shall not be a government of excuses and finger-pointing. We have taken time to review the situation and we already have a clear understanding of what is expected from government. Abians will no longer need the media to tell them what the government is doing in their communities; they will directly experience real development themselves as it occurs.”
The Presidency has taken a swipe at Peter Obi following his recent exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), intensifying political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the development, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, criticised Obi’s decision to leave the party, suggesting the former Anambra State governor lacks the capacity to compete within the ADC.
SEE MORE: BREAKING: Peter Obi Dumps ADC Ahead of 2027 Election
Onanuga, who spoke via his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, dismissed Obi’s reasons for quitting the party as weak and self-serving, insisting that the former Labour Party presidential candidate was avoiding internal contest.
“We told you so. The political nomad is on the move again. Ignore all those puerile reasons he gave… a self-serving letter to his mob,” Onanuga wrote.
He further alleged that Obi deliberately avoided facing key political heavyweights within the ADC, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
“Peter Obi is a politician made of jelly, an opportunistic fellow. He can’t fight Atiku or Amaechi for the ticket of ADC. He pursues the easy road, that will only lead him to doom, like in 2023,” he added.
Obi had earlier announced his resignation from the ADC, citing internal crises, endless litigations, and what he described as a toxic political climate within the party.
He maintained that his decision was not based on personal grievances against the party leadership.
“Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them,” Obi said.
He, however, alleged that forces responsible for instability in the Labour Party were beginning to infiltrate the ADC, creating division and distracting from national issues.
Presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, has announced his decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing worsening internal crises, political interference, and what he described as a toxic political environment.
In a detailed statement shared on his official X handle on Sunday, Obi said the decision followed deep reflection on the state of Nigeria’s political system and his experiences within party structures.
SEE ALSO: Minimum Wage Can’t Sustain Life Anymore — Peter Obi
He said: “My decision to leave the ADC is not because our respected leaders treated me badly… I will continue to respect them.”
Obi specifically mentioned former Senate President David Mark and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stressing that his exit was not due to personal grievances with them.
According to him, the real issue lies in persistent instability within political parties, worsened by interference, court cases, and internal divisions.
“The same forces that created crises in my previous political experience are now appearing in the ADC,” he said.
Obi lamented what he described as a harsh political climate in Nigeria, where integrity and humility are often misunderstood.
“We live in a system where humility is mistaken for weakness and integrity is questioned,” he stated.
He also expressed frustration over how sincere political efforts are often met with criticism and suspicion.
Despite his exit, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to national service, stressing that his ambition is not about political office.
“I am not desperate to be President… I am desperate to see a better Nigeria,” he said.
He added that his concern remains focused on insecurity, poverty, and improving living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
Meanwhile, former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso said consultations are still ongoing among political stakeholders, adding that no final decision has been made regarding broader alignments.
Obi ended his statement on a hopeful note:
“A new Nigeria is POssible.”
He did not disclose his next political destination at the time of filing this report.
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State have taken a decisive step toward the 2027 governorship election by purchasing the expression of interest and nomination forms for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The move, announced on Friday, was led by a delegation headed by a member of the House of Representatives, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, who described the action as a collective decision by party stakeholders across the state.
According to Abiante, the gesture reflects widespread confidence in Fubara’s leadership and a growing demand for continuity among Rivers residents.
READ ALSO: Fubara Shares Palliatives at Community Affected by Gas Emission
“This decision is rooted in the will of the people. It is not about personal ambition or financial strength, but about sustaining a leadership that has shown commitment to development,” he said.
He noted that the governor’s administration has recorded notable progress in infrastructure, particularly in previously hard-to-reach riverine communities.
Abiante cited improved access in areas such as Andoni, as well as the rehabilitation of key public facilities, including the State Secretariat, as indicators of performance.
The lawmaker also highlighted what he described as improved welfare for citizens and a leadership style that is both responsive and people-focused.
“This is a governor who understands the needs of his people and takes action. The support he is receiving is a reflection of that connection,” he added.
Abiante, however, clarified that the governor neither initiated nor influenced the purchase of the forms, stressing that the move was purely driven by stakeholders.
The development comes amid ongoing political realignments in Rivers State following the rift between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The fallout had earlier caused divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and reshaped the political dynamics in the state.
Fubara’s subsequent defection to the APC has further intensified political activities as he works to consolidate support ahead of the next election cycle.
The nomination forms are expected to be formally presented to the governor as consultations and alignments within the party continue.
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