By: Imo Thomas -Umuahia.
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has said that he has no problem with President Tinubu,saying that he will continue to support him as he takes difficult but courageous and necessary economic decisions to fix Nigeria’s economy.
Gov. Otti made this known when he received in audience, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the Senator representing Abia North senatorial zone in the National Assembly on Sunday at his country home Nvosi Isialanqwa.
He said that he supported the removal of fuel subsidy which he described as a scam, and thanked President Tinubu for the courageous decision which ought to have been done long ago.
Governor Otti 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. President is doing has always been my position for a long time,” the Governor asserted
He urged people to go back and read his columns at the back of Thisday Newspaper, some years back, especially during the Covid-19, where he 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 behavior, 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,” Gov. Otti added.
He took a swipe at people talking about 2027 in 2025, Governor 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,” the Governor stated, adding that nobody is competent to talk about tomorrow except he or she wants to play God.
Governor Otti, thanked Senator Orji Uzor Kalu,who was once a Governor in the state for the work he did in the State in the past, saying that there was no need to dwell on how things went wrong in the past while stating that, what his administration has done is to hit the reset button and started work, without looking back, emphasizing that he is using the time he has to work for the people and not to fight anybody.
“Government and Governance is a continuum, it can be broken but you must go back and recover it,” Governor Otti explained.
Earlier in his speech, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu said that he told Governor Otti that he was going to be around during his 2nd anniversary in office but could not make it as he was invited by President Tinubu for his 2nd anniversary celebration in Lagos, but assured the Governor that he will visit him anytime he is in the State.
Sen. Kalu, described Governor Otti as his friend who he cannot play politics with.
“You’re my friend for life; you are my brother for life. Whether you are running election or not running 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,” Dr. Kalu declared.
While declaring his support for Governor Otti, Sen. Kalu urged him to support President Tinubu as well, saying that he wants him to be close to the President and not asking him to leave his Party. He wished the Governor and his family well, saying that he would continue to visit him anytime he is in the State.