Umuahia, Abia State, NIGERIA — Governor Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s “unapologetic” commitment to merit-based appointments, insisting that competence and mental capacity outweigh political or state-of-origin considerations.
Speaking on Saturday at the International Conference Center in Umuahia, the Governor declared that Abia State is open to anyone who can deliver performance and results.
The Governor made these remarks during the wedding ceremony of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), ASP Emeka Charles Ogbonna.
Okay News reports that Otti used the cross-cultural union of his ADC—who married Trinity from Cross River State—as a metaphor for his governance style. He revealed that he selected ASP Ogbonna from a pool of seven interviewed candidates based solely on his first-place performance, without initially knowing his state of origin.
Addressing recent “noise” surrounding the appointment of Dr. Ezinne Chinyere Benjamin-Kalu as Chairman of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Management Board, Otti disclosed that she also emerged first among seven interviewed candidates. He noted that the gap between her and the runner-up was significant, specifically highlighting her extensive international contacts as a key factor. “We don’t care whether she’s APC or PDP… We don’t even care whether she’s from Abia or from Delta. We are interested in what is in her brain,” the Governor stated.
Governor Otti emphasized that this meritocratic principle has been applied across the board, including the appointment of Permanent Secretaries and the recruitment of 5,394 teachers, with a further 4,000 currently being employed. He maintained that place of origin is not a criterion in his administration’s drive to upgrade service delivery in the state.
The ceremony was attended by top government functionaries, including DIG Azubuko Udah (rtd), who chaired the event. Otti also paid tribute to former Cross River Governor Donald Duke for his hospitality during the traditional rites. The Governor concluded by urging all public servants to focus on impact and productivity, stressing that voting preferences remain private, but government roles are strictly for those who can deliver.
