By Kolawole Ojebisi
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has publicly declared his support for the President Bola Tinubu administration’s removal of fuel subsidy.
Otti, elected on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), maintained that Tinubu’s decision was a rare show of courage by a worthy leader, adding that Nigerians are complaining because they’re accustomed to what he described as “irresponsible behaviour”.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Otti, Ferdinand Ekeoma on Monday, the governor said he and Tinubu have been friends for a long time stressing that he supports him on the issue of subsidy removal.
Otti who spoke on Sunday when he received a former Governor of Abia State and the Senator representing Abia North in the Red Chamber, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu and Sen. Chris Adighije, who once represented Abia Central Senatorial District, said:
“When you talk about supporting President Tinubu, the President and I are very good friends and our friendship predates party politics and current positions; we agree on so many issues, and as it is natural, we know where we disagree. But, when you talk about the economy, what Mr. The president doing has always been my position for a long time.
“I urge people to go back and read my columns at the back of Thisday Newspaper, some years back, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, where I said that it was time to remove fuel subsidy when off-takers were rejecting crude shipped to them, saying that they have no need for it.
“So, it requires somebody with courage to remove that subsidy, and I am in support of it. We have behaved in an irresponsible manner for a very long time. And, when you have years of irresponsible behaviour, the correction would be tough, difficult, and painful. It is the correction that we are going through now; if we don’t lose faith, we will eventually get it right.
“So, talking about supporting the President, it’s a no-brainer; I will continue to support him because it is the same administration,” Otti was quoted to have said.
Taking a swipe at people talking about 2027 in 2025, Otti said, “People in 2025 are talking of 2027 you can’t even talk about 2027 because there is no guarantee that you would go beyond 2025. Who are you to begin to talk about 2027?” he questioned as he imagined the audacity of those talking about 2027, trying to play God.
“Today is certain; tomorrow is a promise. Next, tomorrow is gambling. Let us talk about today; when tomorrow comes, and we are lucky to be part of it, we can hold the discussion. Nobody is competent to talk about tomorrow except that he or she wants to play God.” the governor was quoted to have added.
The number one citizen of Abia State used the occasion to thank the former Governor for his accomplishments while in office.
“Government and Governance is a continuum, it can be broken but you must go back and recover it,” Governor Otti explained, recalling how his late mother was a strong supporter of Orji Uzor Kalu for the good works he did in road construction when was became Governor, especially in Aba, adding that it is still the same template he is using.
“I can assure you, that template is not wrong. You fix the place that generates the revenue, the revenue will come, and you use it to fix other places,” he explained.
“There is no sleep in Aba now. People don’t go to bed. So, when I was talking about the velocity of money during my campaign, people thought it was a joke. Once people are awake, money is changing hands. And, any time money changes hands, people make money. That’s how the economy works, it’s not rocket science,” Otti added.
Earlier in his speech, Kalu described Otti as his “friend for life”, urging the governor to be close to Tinubu without dumping his party.
“You’re my friend for life; you are my brother for life. Whether you are running for an election or not running for election, brotherhood is brotherhood…You have done well for our state. Thank you very much.
“I want to make it clear to you: you have done well, and the State will continue to grow under your leadership,” Kalu said.
Speaking further, Kalu said, “I want to thank the Commissioner for the work done on the road rehabilitation in Igbere. I flew (rode) on that road, and it is not the same. That is the truth. It is flying because it is driving and not stopping, and I am really happy with that road.
“I know Abians know what is good for them. They are the only people who will determine who leads their State. When the people feel good, you don’t leave your best, you go for your best.”
