The Governor of the State of Abia, Alex Otti, promised on Tuesday that his administration will not borrow a penny for consumption, except for the investment. He also emphasized that he has no plans to leave the Labor Party (LP).
Governor Otti announced this during a dinner organized by the State Government for the Global Economic Advisory Council of the State of Abia, marking the beginning of half -year withdrawal of 2025 for those appointed by the Government.
Reacting to the false claims by the opposition that he has been borrowing to direct the State, the governor clarified that his administration “would only borrow for investments when the need arises and not for consumption”, and added that the State has not borrowed in the two years and a month since he assumed the position.
Citing the debt profile report recently published by the Debt Management Office (DMO), which classified ABIA first among the states that reduced their debts between March 2024 and March 2025 in 57.20%: the highest reduction throughout the country, OTTI declared: “There is nothing wrong with criticizing the government, but it must criticize the facts. The opinions are released but are released.”
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He continued: “Some people have claimed that we are borrowing. They are lying. I borrowed from them? I saw a report yesterday that says that 26 of the 36 states really reduced their loans in the last 12 months, and Abia arrived first, having reduced their debt profile by 57.20% in a year.
“So, when we say that we have not borrowed, we know what we are talking about. But we have not borrowed does not mean that we will not ask when necessary, by regenerative investments. We will not ask to borrow to eat. We will not ask for borrowing for consumption. We will ask for the capital spending.”
Governor Otti also addressed speculations about him planning to join the APC or any coalition formed by opposition elements in the country. He said clearly: “I am still a member of the work, and the Supreme Court resolved the crisis that once threatened the survival of the party.”
“Let me briefly address two concerns that some members of the Global Economic Council have raised. One is the report on five governors who fade to APC. I am still a member of the Labor Party and I do not consider any dropout.”
“The second problem is about the coalition. Many people have asked if I am a member. My answer: Have you seen my name on any list? Have you seen me in a coalition meeting?
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“I am happy where I am. Yes, we had internal problems, if you have no problems, you are probably not alive. But face problems and solved. Do not run away and pretend that they do not exist.”
“When we had our problems, we struggled to the Supreme Court and claimed our party. I think the remaining concerns will be resolved soon because the sentence of the Supreme Court was very clear.”
Otti reiterated that his administration is committed to doing things in the right way, warning that those who are not willing to align with this vision do not take place in their government. He criticized the idea of ​​the “stomach infrastructure”, saying that Abianos are not people who believe in brochures, but that working people who only need a enabling environment, such as good roads and a clean environment, to prosper in business and life.
He added that providing portable water is the following priority for administration, declaring: “We want to reach a point where you can open your tap and have public water. In the coming weeks, we will mark water projects in ABA, Umuahia and several other areas. We will get there.”
The governor also revealed the establishment of a project implementation office, headed by an expert born in Abia, Mr. Onyinye Nwosu, who left his job in Canada to serve. He thanked the advisory council of 20 members for his sacrificial support and his valuable contributions, which he helped promote the achievements of the State in the last two years.
“I want to thank everyone who has contributed, especially to the Council. It doesn't matter how I look at it, everything revolves around the economy. If you get the right economy, everything else will fit.
“That is why we made an additional effort to convince these 20 bright minds, which are otherwise extremely occupied, to guide us. Fortunately, they accepted. They have been active for a year, they met quarterly or as they need to offer ideas. Our work is to implement them,” said the governor.
Previously in his comments on behalf of the Council, the co -chair of the Global Economic Advisory Council of Abia, Prof. Arunma Oteh, expressed the satisfaction of the Council with the progress in Abia. She declared that the State is really number one, not only alphabetically, but also in performance.
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