Otti Unperturbed by Opposition Gatherings, Reaffirms Focus on Governance at Church Dedication

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has advised residents of the state to pay little or no attention to recent gatherings by opposition politicians, describing their actions as self-serving and disconnected from the welfare of Abia people.

The governor made the remarks on Saturday at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Umuoriehi, headquarters of the Abia North Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Umuahia North Local Government Area, during the dedication of a church building recently renovated through his personal funds.

Reacting to what he described as sustained criticism and meetings by opposition figures, Otti said such actions amounted to mere distractions and would not derail his administration. He characterised the activities as inconsequential, noting that they lacked substance and public interest.

“Pastor Uguru made reference to the noise that you may have been hearing in the last few days. I want us to just dismiss it as noise, you know, and it’s always the empty barrel that makes the loudest noise.

“As for gathering, as recorded in Isaiah chapter 54, verse 15, it says, Behold, they will surely gather, but the gathering is not of me. And since it’s not of me, what would they do? They will scatter and they will fall for your sake. That’s the holy book.

“And like I’ve always also said, some of these people speaking have forgotten what is written in Lamentations chapter 5, verse 37. And it’s a big charge.

“Who are you to speak when the Lord has not spoken? So, nobody should worry about that. We don’t even think we should dignify them with responses.”

The governor stressed that his administration remained committed to changing the development narrative of Abia State, insisting that the opposition was more concerned with personal interests than the collective good of the people.

“We should just do what we are doing. In everything, they will not talk about you, the Abia people. They are talking about themselves. But they are a tiny minority.

“And God doesn’t make mistakes. And he doesn’t have an unfinished project. So, I don’t want anybody to lose breath or worry about it,” Otti said.

Clarifying his role in the church project, the governor explained that the building was not entirely constructed by him but renovated to improve its appearance. He emphasised that no public funds were used for the project.

“It’s not correct to say that I did everything. I did a little part of it. The Church was standing before now. So, what we did was a little renovation because we wanted it to look better.

“It’s also important for me to re-emphasise and I’m sure those who know me, know that government money did not come in here. We only use government money for government business. But, because we also have a second address, we’re able to do the things we were doing before now.

“Those of you who have been here long enough will remember that sometime about 2012, I came here and led the fundraising for the construction of the conference office there,” he stated.

Otti also announced that activities marking this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day had commenced, adding that the programme would culminate on January 15, the official remembrance day.

Earlier in his sermon, the President of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Abia North-Central Conference, Pastor Kennedy Ihuoma, urged congregants to demonstrate faithfulness and integrity in their daily lives. Speaking on the theme, “Can I be a Joseph to Interpret the King’s Dream,” Ihuoma challenged Christians, especially those in leadership positions, to serve as dependable interpreters of vision and purpose in governance.

The cleric recounted the governor’s past worship at the church and his commitment to renovating the building with personal resources, expressing satisfaction with the quality of the completed work.

He thanked Otti on behalf of the church leadership and members and offered prayers for divine guidance and blessings upon him.

The dedication ceremony drew several dignitaries, including the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Obi Aguocha; Senator Darlington Nwokocha; members of the Abia State House of Assembly; Acting Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Mereibeole; and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D.

The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and prayers for the governor and members of his cabinet.