Abia State Governor, His Excellency Dr Alex Otti, OFR, says that by the end of this month, he will commence the payment of the arrears of salaries and entitlements owed former elected councillors of Abia State from 1999 to 2023, by previous administrations in the State.
Governor Otti broke the cheering news on Sunday at the JAAC Secretariat, Umuahia, during a meeting with the members of the Association of Elected Former Councillors in Abia State, numbering over 1000, led by their State Coordinator, Hon. Tony Agbanyim.
The Governor, who said that the payments would be done in batches, clarified that he is not defraying the accumulated entitlements for political reasons.
“So, I’m told that everything should be set by the end of this month. So, what that means is that by the end of this month, we will start the payment in batches.
“The reason why we are doing this is not politics. Our political party is there. But quite frankly, whether you are a member of my party or you are not, you will be treated fairly and equally,” Gov. Otti assured.
The Governor, while thanking them for their kind words in appreciation of his modest achievements in office and for endorsing him for 2027 election, said that he decided to pay them their arrears of entitlements because it was the right thing to do, emphasizing that his administration will always do the right thing, but will never do the wrong no matter the pressure and whose ox is gored.
The Governor stated that the essence of leadership is to solve problems. In his words,
“So, when this proposal came to me, I didn’t actually know about it..
We try to solve all the problems that we meet. When you are given a position of leadership, which I have defined as stewardship, it is for you to solve problems.”
He thanked those who had gone to court to seek justice for withdrawing the matter when his administration decided to step in to ensure that they get what is due to them, which they were denied by past administrations.
“And then, when we looked at everything, we found that there was a need to do a little bit more work. Some people were in court, and some had been paid based on court orders. I said, okay, let’s harmonise all these.
“Bring out all the matters in court, because when people go to court, they feel injured, they feel treated unjustly.
“So, since we are going to deal with everything, all the matters in court should be brought out. And I want to thank all of you, because I’m told that there’s no matter in court anymore.
“Every one of them has been brought out. And that builds confidence, because you haven’t been paid, but you already have chosen the path of reconciliation,” Gov. stated.
In their goodwill messages, the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the member representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe and the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Augustine Nmeregini thanked the Governor for agreeing to hold the interface with the elected former councillors. They assured the former Councillors that Governor Otti’s promise is as good as don,e as his yes is yes and no is no.
They urged them to support the Governor, who is working for all without discrimination, to enable him consolidate his achievements beyond 2027.
Sen. Darlington disclosed that soon, the Labour Party would start registration, and invited the former councillors to identify with the Party.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, regretted that those who the former Councillors served under their administrations denied them their rights, but thanked God for raising a compassionate leader like Governor Alex Otti, who is committed to changing the narratives and righting the wrongs of the past.
Prince Nwachukwu thanked them for their dedicated service to the State in the past, and expressed the hope that working with them would assist the Governor in achieving his vision for Abia State.
The Association of Elected Former Councillors of Abia State (1999-2022) passed a
vote of Confidence on Governor Otti and unanimously adopted him as its sole governorship candidate for the 2027 governorship ballot.
The group affirmed its position through a motion moved by Barr. Geoffrey Ike (Nwateacher) and seconded by Chief Ndukwe Oju Uka.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the State Coordinator, Association of Elected Former Councillors of Abia State Hon. Tony Agbanyim berated successive Governors in the State, from 1999 to 2023 for their wicked act of denying them their rights, a situation he said, has put them in tight corners, leading to the death of over 80 members of the Association as well as their relatives.
“It has not been easy for us, Your Excellency. We’ve lost more than 80 of us to avoidable deaths. Those we served, we worked with day and night and made Governors.
“Our brothers who were Governors here were busy buying vessels, buying aeroplanes, establishing Radio and TV houses and newspaper houses everywhere.
“Your Excellency, I want to tell you, when the commissioner said you’ve given instruction that PVs should be recasted and those that don’t have PVs, that local government should prepare PVs for them, that was when we started becoming alive again,” Hon. Agbanyim stated.
He further stated that God came to Abia State through Dr Alex Otti to rescue the people and assured that they would ensure that he is reelected for a second term in 2027.
In their speeches, Abia North Zonal Coordinator of the Association, Hon. Cletus Nwankwo, Abia South Zonal Coordinator, Hon. Okey Onukafor and the Abia Central Coordinator, Chief Francis Nwanguma noted that Governor Otti understands “Abia language”, which include payment of arrears salaries and pensions, fixing of dilapidated roads, fixing education and healthcare facilities among others, and has lived up to expectations.
They thanked Governor Otti for his promise to pay them their arrears of entitlements owed them by previous civilian administrations in the State, adding that they are ready to partner with the Governor in the New Abia project.
They told Governor Otti that they are very proud of him for his impactful people-centred achievements across the State.
The meeting was attended by senior appointees of the Government.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
February 15th, 2026.
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