Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has responded to recent comments made by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, during the October edition of the Mo’di’s Media Parley.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists, Governor Otti addressed issues surrounding alleged comments by Hon. Kalu about the 2027 governorship race and the financial inflows to the state.
The governor began by reaffirming his commitment to his current mandate, which runs until 2027, stressing that he does not possess the “anointing” to predict future elections.
“I have a mandate and that mandate runs till 2027. I don’t have the anointing to speak about what will happen in 2027 by 2025, Power belongs to God, and He gives it to whom He wills.” – Otti said.
Governor Otti also cautioned political figures against making unfounded statements about the state’s finances, describing as misleading claims that Abia receives between ₦38 and ₦40 billion monthly.
“Those who know better have shown that we receive just about half of that, adding that leaders must be careful with their words, especially those holding high national offices. – he clarified,
Addressing reports that the Deputy Speaker may be eyeing the governorship seat in 2027, Otti acknowledged Kalu’s constitutional right to contest but urged him to respect the nation’s electoral laws.
“I hear he wants to run for governorship in 2027 — that’s fine, it’s his fundamental human right. But if INEC hasn’t released the timetable and you start campaigning, you’re putting yourself in harm’s way. You can even be disqualified before the election,” Otti warned.
The governor advised political actors in the state to prioritize peace and lawful conduct ahead of the next electoral cycle, noting that his administration has worked hard to sustain stability since assuming office.
“We’ve managed in the last two years to keep this place peaceful. We should continue to maintain that peace. Nobody can intimidate us,” Otti said firmly.
In a subtle jab at those claiming they would “take over” Abia in 2027, Otti quipped:
“If they truly want to write results, they should write something else before that time — their will.”
Governor Otti concluded his remarks by reiterating that he feels no threat from political opposition and remains focused on governance and delivering the dividends of democracy to Abians.
“Am I threatened? Absolutely not. Do I bother about that? Absolutely not. What matters is that we maintain peace and decorum,” he said.
The governor’s comments have since stirred reactions across political circles in Abia, with many observers viewing the exchange as an early signal of the political undercurrents leading up to the 2027 elections.
