Abia: Otti Hosts Sen Kalu, Hails Lawmaker’s Contributions To State

Abia Governor Alex Otti on Friday applauded the legislative impacts of former Governor of the state Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in his constituency and the state.

The Labour Party Governor (LP) commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lawmaker for periodically offering him pieces of advice which has no doubt been helpful in moving the state forward stressing that the former Abia Governor has been supportive in his administration.

Otti stated this during Kalu’s courtesy visit to his Nvosi, Ngwa private residence in Abia State. In a brief chat with the press both leaders jointly called on politicians to shelve their political affiliations and champion the development of the state.

While commended the Chairman Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation for his proactive representation, Gov Otti stated that as a sitting Governor he does not belong to any Political party other than the interest of the masses.

Otti warned Politicians to desist from hiding under the guise of Politics to foment trouble in the state.

He 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 informed 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, which had caused losses in the last general elections.

Chairman of Kalu’s OUK Mr. Sunday Ogbaja Orjisi also lamented that fighting within the party caused them to lose Governor Otti to the Labour Party after he dumped the Party prior to the General elections.