The Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Rev. Michael Ukpong, has said those already campaigning to take over from Governor Alex Otti in 2027 are wasting their time, insisting that the governor’s performance in just two years has already done the campaigning for him.
Ukpong made the remark on Sunday during a lunch he hosted for Otti at the Mater Dei Cathedral, Umuahia, to celebrate what he described as the governor’s impactful achievements within two years in office.
The cleric noted that several projects once considered impossible had been made possible under Otti, citing the rehabilitation of the Igwu (Omenuko) Bridge and the Arochukwu–Ohafia Road.
Ukpong stated, “There was a time I sent you a text, telling you that for the first time, ‘Abians are proud to be Abians’.
“I have not been to Aba for a long time. Those living there are sharing stories of your good works in Aba, which the Catholic Bishop of Aba, Bishop Echema, has also confirmed. We are saying, keep it up.
“If we finish saying everything we are saying without mentioning the Igwu (Omenuko) bridge, then we have not started.
“Since I became an adult, travelling from Ohafia through Bende-Ohafia Road, once you get to Igwu bridge, the journey becomes scary until you cross the bridge. Once you cross the bridge, you know that you have started your journey; coming from Umuahia, the same thing.
“But now, nobody is scared of the bridge again because of the work you have done there. Hence, we say thank you.
“What i thought was impossible in the past is now possible. I didn’t know that in my lifetime that the bridge would be like what it is now.”
He recalled his difficult experience travelling to Arochukwu through Ndi-Oji road in 2018 due to bad roads, but expressed surprise at the ease of the journey earlier this year after the roads were fixed under Otti’s administration.
The bishop added, “So, the saying that there is no easy route to Aro has been destroyed by His Excellency. There are good roads to Aro now.
“His Excellency, thank you for that; we cannot start mentioning things one by one, just to say, you are doing well, and we are behind you. And, we are proud to have supported you.
“The governor has campaigned for himself already through good works. So, you can just sleep, Abians will vote for you, except those who don’t like good things.
“We want you to continue. If it is possible to elongate the tenure to the third and fourth terms, with somebody like you, we will not bother about that. Thank you, and God bless you.”
In his response, Otti thanked the bishop for the recognition and assured him that his administration would continue to focus on service.
The governor thanked the bishop for the huge support he gave during the campaigns while acknowledging the significant support of other groups and stakeholders.
“Our greatest support came from the churches,” Otti said.
Otti stated that leadership is all about stewardship and service, saying that anytime leadership moves away from stewardship and service, it becomes self-serving and selfish.
He reassured all that greater things are coming compared to what the people had seen so far.
He said, “We don’t like complaining as that will not solve the problem.
“We are dealing with the situations with the little resources available to us, paying back debts left behind by our predecessors, paying back almost 60% of the debts and doing other things we have done in the last two years without borrowing any kobo.”
On the recently approved $263m loan facilities from development banks, Otti said the funds would only be accessed when necessary and managed prudently.
The governor was joined at the lunch by the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Austin Nmerigini
Others include Hon. Chinasa Anthony Abiola, representing Umuahia Central State Constituency, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, among other top government officials.
