Why Obasanjo Visited Alex Otti In Abia State, Details Emerge

Details of why Obasanjo visited Alex Otti in his residence in Abia State emerge.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has applauded Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for his decisive action in repealing the law permitting former governors and their deputies to receive pensions, labeling it as “daylight robbery.”

VerseNews gathered that during a courtesy visit to Otti’s residence in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, Obasanjo urged other state governors to follow Otti’s lead in cutting down the cost of governance.

Obasanjo emphasized the significance of Otti’s move, which effectively puts an end to what he described as an “atrocious” pension scheme benefiting former governors and deputies while ordinary citizens struggle with unpaid pensions.

He encouraged Otti not to waver in his resolve despite potential backlash and assured him that such actions are crucial for a better Nigeria.

“The pension scheme for former governor here is atrocious, it’s like daylight robbery because it allows them to have a house in Abuja and elsewhere and cart away with whatever they feel like carting away yet the pension for ordinary people is unpaid, what sort of leadership is that?

“And you came and you said there will be an end to that rascality. I congratulate you and I say to you that I hope that some of your colleagues will follow in your footsteps. You have started but you should never be tired.”

“You will be discouraged, you will be abused, you will be called names but if we have one-third of our states doing what should be done this country will be a different country and you are doing what should be done,” Obasanjo said

Meanwhile,Acknowledging Otti’s developmental strides and the restoration of public confidence in the government,Obasanjo stressed the importance of focusing on infrastructure, particularly in a state like Abia known for its enterprising populace. He expressed confidence in Otti’s leadership and urged him to continue prioritizing infrastructure development.

“I will urge you that you pay adequate attention to infrastructure because if you give infrastructure and you give the type of leadership you are giving now, the people of this state have nothing to worry about because they are enterprising on their own.”

In response, Otti expressed gratitude for Obasanjo’s support and reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing essential infrastructure, emphasizing the pivotal role of power infrastructure in driving industrialization and economic growth. He reaffirmed his belief in leadership as stewardship, emphasizing the need to serve the people without exploiting them.

“So, I want to also thank you for supporting our decision to repeal the pension law for former governors and former deputy governors. I had said yesterday as I signed the bill into law that I strongly believe that leadership is stewardship and if you come to serve the people, you can’t at the same time be fleecing the people,” Otti said.

VerseNews recalls that on Tuesday, the Abia State House of Assembly passed into law H.A.B 11, titled “A Bill for a Law to Repeal The Abia State Governors & Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and for other Matters Connected Therewith.” This bill was sponsored by the Majority Leader and member representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Okoro Uchenna Kalu.

However, The passage of the bill followed its first and second readings, the consideration by the committee of the whole before its 3rd reading during Tuesday’s plenary at the hallowed chamber. Following the passage of the Bill by the lawmakers, Governor Otti on Thursday signed it into law.

Photos as Obasanjo visited Alex