I Reply ‘shameless opposition’ With Performance – Gov Otti
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has taken a firm stand against critics of his administration, stating that he will continue to respond to the “shameless opposition” with tangible development and performance rather than verbal exchanges.
The Governor made this declaration during a colourful thanksgiving carnival organized by the people of Aba, tagged “Promise Kept Carnival,” held at the Umuagbai Secondary School premises in celebration of the successful reconstruction and completion of Port Harcourt Road — a project abandoned for over three decades.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, Governor Otti noted that while opposition figures have intensified their verbal attacks, he remains focused on delivering results that directly impact the lives of the people.
“But we have always ignored them. And we have continued to ignore them. We respond with performance,” Otti said. “There is a response I want to give. In 2017, they awarded this Port Harcourt Road for N9.8 billion. And they paid out the entire money. But the road was not done.”
The Governor revealed that under the administration of his predecessor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the road project was awarded for N9.8 billion and fully funded, yet there was no visible result on the ground. He compared that to his administration’s successful execution of the same project at a cost of N36.5 billion in 2025.
To clarify cost discrepancies, Otti broke down the figures using the exchange rate at the respective times:
“In 2017, the average exchange rate was N333 to a dollar. That means N9.8 billion was equivalent to USD29 million. In 2025, at an exchange rate of N1,600, the N36.5 billion we spent is USD22.8 million. So let’s do the maths. USD29 million was spent with nothing to show, but with USD22 million, a world-class road was constructed and delivered.”
The Governor’s comparison highlighted both a financial and moral victory for his administration, which managed to execute the project more efficiently and transparently, despite economic challenges.
He commended the people of Aba for their loyalty and support, acknowledging that their encouragement had been instrumental in his political journey since he first contested the governorship in 2015.
“I deeply appreciate the love and support from Aba people. You stood by me from 2015 till now, and I will never take it for granted.”
Governor Otti also announced that his administration had procured 20 electric buses, which are expected to be deployed in the next two months as part of his transportation modernization agenda.
The Port Harcourt Road project stands as one of the flagship infrastructural achievements of Governor Otti’s administration, representing a shift from past inefficiencies and heralding a new era of development in Abia State.
