Obasanjo In Abia; Calls On Other Governors To Emulate Otti In Repealing Pensions For Ex Govs And Deputies

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has thumped up Governor Alex Otti’s tenacity, courage and resilience in piloting the affairs of Abia state,urging him to continue on the path of re writing the narratives..

Particularly, Chief Obasanjo saluted the  courage exhibited by Governor Otti in scrapping the vexatious pension scheme  for former Governors and their Deputies, which he tagged outrageous .

The former President who spoke during a visit to Governor Otti at his Nvosi Isialagwa country home on Friday, March 22 2024, decried a situation whereby huge sums of money are allocated for the payments of benefits to former Governors and their Deputies,while the pensions of the ordinary retired public servants are left unpaid..

“I watched the television yesterday and I saw the repealing of Abia pensions law for former Governors and their Deputies. And I asked you what exactly is this ,and you told me that the pensions scheme for the former Governors here is outrageously high .

“It is like trouble because it allows them to have a house in Abuja and elsewhere and it also allows  them to cart away what ever they can, yet the pensions of ordinary people from 2014 are unpaid .

“What sort of leadership is this? But  you came and said there will be an end to that rascality. I congratulate you . I hope that your colleagues will follow your footsteps.” Obasanjo stated.

Emphasizing the importance of  infrastructural facilities in driving economic growth and development, Chief Obasanjo urged Governor Otti to accord all the necessary attention to the provisions of infrastructures, noting that the administration is already on the right track in that direction.

According to him, given the entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Abia and the South Easterners in general, all they need is the creation of an enabling environment for them to freely showcase their skills.

The former president noted that although Governor Otti has started well,there are still a lot to do , expressing the optimism that with courage and determination the required targets will be achieved.

“There are a lot of work to be done. Good a thing you have started well. Don’t be tired and don’t be discouraged. You will be abused . You will be called names .But if we have one third of our states doing what should be done ,this country will be a different one.

“I have always maintained that if there is any zone  that could really give what I call regional development, it is the South East. This is because you are almost monolithic in everything.”

“Governor Otti while appreciating the former president for his visit and commendations ,reiterated his belief that leadership is anchored on  stewardship and never on exploitation of the people.

The Abia State Governor insisted that a true leadership is only out to offer services and not to fleece the people ,adding that his decision to operate from his home is part of the wider plan to reduce the cost of governance.