Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has defended the state government’s decision to relocate the Umuahia campus of Abia State University (ABSU) to its main campus at Uturu, located in Isuikwuato Local Government Area. Speaking during his monthly media chat, Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians, in Umuahia, the governor explained that the relocation was part of his administration’s commitment to enhancing academic studies and research in the state.
Governor Otti emphasized that consolidating all academic activities at the Uturu campus would foster greater academic interaction and synergy among the university’s various faculties and departments. He further assured the public that his government was taking proactive steps to address potential challenges arising from the move, such as accommodation, electricity, access to research materials, and water supply.
“We are mindful of the challenges that might arise from this move,” Otti said. “We are already addressing these concerns. For instance, we are building modern, well-furnished courtrooms for internship purposes, and we are also collaborating with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to renovate key water projects across the state, starting with the Ariaria, Abia North, and Ubakala water schemes.”
In addition to the university campus relocation, Governor Otti also touched on broader issues affecting the state. Responding to questions about the ongoing debate around the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Otti clarified his position on the matter. He expressed his belief in quiet, behind-the-scenes diplomacy rather than public posturing, stating that he had personally engaged with federal authorities to advocate for Kanu’s release.
“I have met with the President on this issue. I don’t believe in media show or grandstanding,” Otti explained. “I want Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to be released, and I’m actively working towards that in private engagements.”
Governor Otti also addressed his party’s performance in the recently concluded Local Government Elections, where the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) emerged victorious, winning 15 chairmanship seats, while the Young Peoples Party (YPP) won two seats. The Labour Party, under Otti’s leadership, struggled to secure significant wins. Otti attributed the loss to internal conflicts within the Labour Party, which he believes led many supporters to switch allegiance to rival parties.
“While the Labour Party didn’t perform well in this election, I remain committed to the party,” Otti said. “The internal issues in the Labour Party caused many of our supporters to leave. Political parties are just platforms to contest elections, and when things go wrong within the party, it creates opportunities for others.”
Otti also reflected on his past political decisions, noting that when he left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 to join the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), many of his supporters followed him, enabling him to win the governorship election. He suggested that similar dynamics were at play in the recent local elections.
“As I did in 2015 when I switched from PDP to APGA, I allowed my supporters to make their own choices during this election. Unfortunately, internal party issues gave our opponents an advantage,” Otti added.
Despite the setback in the local elections, Governor Otti reiterated his commitment to the Labour Party and its ongoing role in the state’s political landscape.
