Otti Applauds Senator Kalu’s Contributions to Abia, Calls for Non-partisan Development

By Iyojo Ameh

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, expressed admiration for the legislative achievements of former Governor and current Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, during a courtesy visit by Kalu to Otti’s private residence in Nvosi, Ngwa.

Otti, a member of the Labour Party (LP), commended Senator Kalu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for his ongoing advisory role, which Otti credits with advancing the state’s interests.

In a joint statement to the press, Otti and Kalu called upon political leaders to set aside partisan affiliations in favor of fostering development in the state.

Otti, underscoring his commitment to serving the public interest regardless of political alignment, cautioned against politicians using politics as a pretext for instigating discord within Abia State.

Governor Otti specifically praised Senator Kalu’s proactive representation as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation. He emphasized Kalu’s dedication to public service and acknowledged his contributions to Abia’s progress.

Otti described Kalu as a “servant of Abia, “I thank him for the support that he has given this Government.

“Once in a while I get pieces of advice from you and I will like to encourage you to continue because what is most important is that our state makes progress.

“We thank you for what you have been doing at the Senate and I encourage you to do more, like I have always maintained once the election and probably litigations are over, political platforms take the backseat and Governance takes the front seat.”

Otti stated that the time for party politics are over, “It is in that spirit that I welcome you not as a member of a different political party but as a servant of the people of Abia State of which you are one of them and as the Governor of Abia State I don’t belong to any political party.

“Any political party that anyone chooses to belong to is his or her choice but once you are from Abia or you live in Abia , you are part and parcel of this Government.

“I want to thank you for the recognition and I would like to preach to everyone who hitherto see political parties as instruments of war to desist and think again. Political parties are mere platforms and every Abia person wants good governance and that is what we are working hard towards to give our people.”

On his part, Kalu revealed that the purpose of the visit is to discuss issues pertaining to the progress of the state and to brief the governor with happenings at the National Assembly.

Kalu appreciated Otti for his reception, “I decided to come and see you because this will be traditional because I was also a former Governor in this state and its the tradition that the consultation will be continuous and discuss some issues pertaining to the state and also issues that pertain to Nigeria as a country and I will also give you some progress report on what is happening at the National Assembly.

“I apologize for not being present at the first year celebration of your administration. Leadership is about the burden , it’s not about party affiliation, our whole aim is to develop our state and I am sure that you are also on the same page.

“Thank you for receiving us at this short notice and the visit will be a continuous one. Let’s keep our political flags and parties in our rooms and let’s develop our state, let’s us know where we can help in terms of Federal Funding. Let’s concentrate on what we can do for our state.”

The engagement of the present and former governors comes less than 48 hours after Kalu held a “unification” meeting with members of his All Progressives Congress, APC at his Igbere camp Neya country home.

The meeting drew the attendance of loyalists of the party’s 2023 governorship candidate Ikechi Emenike and other stakeholders of other National ruling Party.

According to news reports of what transpired at the meeting, Abia State Chairman of the Party, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu described Kalu as a “Priceless Asset” to the party in the state and the National level.

Ononogbu recalled how Kalu’s fatherly guidance helped him reconsider resigning his chairmanship amidst party infractions, declaring Kalu’s home as the fortress of the party in Abia State.

He also urged the warring factions to sheath their swords while lamenting the lack of unity among stakeholders, had caused losses in the last general elections.