Obasanjo praises Alex Otti for ending Abia governors, deputies’ pensions

Alex Otti, Abia State Governor and Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has applauded Imo State Governor, Alex Otti for putting an end to pensions for former governors and deputy governors of the state.

On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Abia State House of Assembly passed a bill assenting to the Governors and Deputy Governors Pension Repeal Law.

During a visit to Governor Otti in Nvosi Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, on Friday, March 22, 2024, Obasanjo made the commendation.

“I saw the repeal of Abia pensions of former governors; you said to me that the pension scheme for former governors here is too outrageous.

“It allows them to have a house in Abuja and elsewhere, and it allows them to cart away with whatever they can.

“Yet the pensions of ordinary people from 2014 are unpaid and you came and said there will be an end to that rascality.

“I congratulate you and I hope that your colleagues will follow in your footsteps.

“You have started well, but you should never be tired nor discouraged, because you will be abused and you will be called names.

“If we have one-third of our states doing what should be done, this country will be a different country,” Obasanjo said.

He also admonished Alex Otti to remain diligent and to pay adequate attention to infrastructural development.

The former head of state noted that the residents of Abia are known to be enterprising and with good leadership and adequate infrastructure the state would be a better place.

“I have always maintained that if there’s any zone in this country that could really give what I call regional development, it’s the Southeast, because you are almost monolithic in everything,” he said.

Otti, on his part, reiterated his belief in infrastructure as he remains a key and said that he strongly believed that infrastructure remains a key factor for socio-economic growth.

“In the last nine months, we have completed and commissioned ten roads in Aba and at the moment we have about 31 roads that are in different stages of construction and completion,” he said.

The Abia Governor expressed his gratitude to former President Obasanjo for his support to the state.