In a political moment that surprised many and inspired even more, former Abia State Governor and current Senator representing Abia North, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, paid a warm and public tribute to the leadership of his successor, Governor Alex Otti, OFR. Kalu, accompanied by Sen. Chris Adighije, visited Governor Otti on Sunday, June 8, and lauded the administration’s “remarkable” infrastructural strides, even declaring that he “flew” on roads that once took hours to traverse.
But that wasn’t all.
In a wide-ranging discussion that covered national policy, governance, and the future of Nigeria’s economy, Governor Otti used the opportunity to reiterate his firm support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms especially the controversial removal of fuel subsidy, which he branded a long-overdue correction to years of “irresponsible” fiscal behavior.
“We’ve behaved irresponsibly for too long. Fixing that behavior will be tough, but it’s necessary,” said Otti, who emphasized that economic discipline and courage not populism are the keys to national progress. “If we don’t lose faith, we’ll eventually get it right.”
Governor Otti, an economist and former banker, praised Tinubu’s “bold” decisions and urged Nigerians to brace up for the short-term pain of economic reforms, stressing that real prosperity would follow resilience and patience.
On the state level, the Governor highlighted ongoing transformation projects particularly in Aba, Abia’s commercial nerve center where reconstruction has reawakened the economy. He cited a stunning example of public confidence: a private citizen donating N200 million to support the state’s work, simply out of faith in the administration’s direction.
“There is no sleep in Aba now,” Otti said proudly. “When people stay awake, money moves and that’s how the economy grows. It’s not rocket science.”
Notably, the Governor announced plans to light up the Umuahia-Ohafia corridor to keep commerce alive past dusk, describing a vision of a 24-hour economy akin to that of Lagos and Abuja.
The meeting, however, wasn’t all policy and governance. It was deeply symbolic.
Sen. Kalu, once a political titan in Abia, declared his unwavering support for Governor Otti not as a politician, but as a brother and friend.
“Whether you’re running an election or not, brotherhood is brotherhood. You’ve done well for our state,” Kalu stated, reflecting on how the reconstructed roads had cut his journey from Igbere to Umuahia down from three hours to less than one.
He added a subtle but significant appeal, urging Otti to stay close to President Tinubu while reaffirming his trust in Abians to always “choose what is best” for their future.
Sen. Chris Adighije echoed the sentiment, calling Otti’s governance a point of pride for all Abians. “Supporting you was no mistake. You’re doing extremely well. This is beyond politics this is progress.”
As discussions heat up nationally ahead of 2027, Governor Otti offered a reality check:
“People are already talking about 2027 in 2025? You’re not even guaranteed tomorrow. Today is certain. Tomorrow is a promise. Next tomorrow is gambling.”
The Governor made it clear: his focus remains on the present and on delivering for the people.
The moment captured in this visit wasn’t just about roads or rhetoric. It symbolized a rare alignment across political divides one that could set the tone for a more unified, results-driven leadership in Abia State and beyond.
