Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has warned against divisive politics in Nigeria, Abia State and Ngwaland, cautioning against the crafting of selfish narratives dressed up as group interests to mislead people.
Governor Otti gave the warning on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Nobik International Event Centre, 7UP Road, Aba North LGA, during the 40th wedding anniversary celebration of Dr. and Mrs. Nwabuisi Elelenta.
The Governor noted that too often, people follow narratives without conviction, only to discover later that such narratives serve personal rather than collective interests.
“I just want to make one point, and that is our politics in Nigeria, politics in Abia State, and politics in Ngwaland. Sometimes, when people craft narratives, a lot of people follow sheepishly, not knowing that the narratives they are crafting are selfish narratives, dressed up as group interests,” Gov. Otti said.
“All of a sudden, your brother who has been with you, eating with you, becomes your enemy because he has shown up to contest elections. Somebody said, if you don’t want to know who dated your great-grandmother, don’t join politics.”
Governor Otti questioned the relevance of such divisive narratives to good governance, stressing that they do nothing to improve the lives of the people or address critical issues such as the cost of goods in the market.
The State Chief Executive disclosed that Dr. Nwabuisi Elelenta was among the early supporters who believed in his capacity to turn things around for Abia State after listening to him when he joined politics. The Governor recalled that Dr. Elelenta supported him while serving as President of the Association of Ngwa People in the USA, a decision that subjected him to considerable trouble and persecution from those who disagreed with his choice.
The Governor said he had forgiven those who wronged him in the past through divisive political narratives, stressing that such narratives are meaningless if they do not translate into good governance and tangible benefits for the wellbeing of the people.
Gov. Otti further condemned the practice of allowing divisive and clannish politics to undermine public interest, competence and merit in favour of narrow and parochial considerations. He urged citizens to emulate the sacrifices of our forebears who lived above sentiments for the greater good of society.
“Our great-grandparents were great people. Think of all of them. That’s why the other day we decided to honour Aguiyi Ironsi. And we will honour more people. I honoured Jaja Nwachukwu the other day, and we will keep honouring our people who made sacrifices.
“They were not sentimental; they were not myopic. Some of them, like M.I. Okpara, I understand, didn’t have a house. He could have accumulated all the money, and today he’s gone.
“I tell you one thing: a lot of the money we are all gathering, left, right and centre, we don’t need it. As a banker or former banker, I can tell you that most of the time, when you close your eyes and don’t wake up, that money goes to your enemy,” the Governor stated.
Governor Otti urged the people to emulate the life of Dr. Elelenta, describing him as an example of a person who stood by his convictions.
“Have conviction; Believe in something. Even if they prosecute you, let them prosecute you because of your belief in something.
“You are dancing around. Today you are here, tomorrow you are there; they don’t even know where you stand.
“At the end of the day, when important decisions are being made, they are not going to consider you because you can sell out,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor thanked God for preserving the lives and marriage of Dr. Nwabuisi Elelenta and his wife, Mrs. Melody Elelenta, PhD, and for blessing their union with children. He prayed that God would grant them many more years together, expressing the hope that they would celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and beyond.
Governor Otti also praised Mrs. Melody Elelenta, describing her as an epitome of a virtuous woman who is deeply sold out to the cause of her family. He commended her for being a strong support to her husband and the entire family.
Among the dignitaries who attended the celebration were Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South Senatorial District in the National Assembly; Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, former Senator who represented Abia Central Senatorial District; Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, representing Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives; the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa; Southeast National Vice Chairman of the Labour Party, Hon. Ismael Onuoha; State Chairman of the Labour Party, Hon. Peter Azubuike; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sir Uzor Nwachukwu; Commissioner for Culture and Creative Economy, Dr. Mathew Ekwuruibe; the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South, Hon. Nnadozie Nwaogwugwu; as well as the Mayors of Obingwa and Aba North Local Government Areas, among other dignitaries.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
August 16, 2016.
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