Anybody banking on blackmail to unseat Otti in 2027, wasting time – CoS, Ajagba * Says era of sharing govt money to people gone in Abia

Anybody banking on blackmail to unseat Otti in 2027, wasting time – CoS, Ajagba

* Says era of sharing govt money to people gone in Abia

By Steve Oko

Chief of Staff to Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, has said that anyone banking on blackmail to de-market the Otti-led administration with intent to oust him in 2027 election, is embarking on futile political voyage.

Ajagba mocked some members of the opposition who are making boastful remarks about 2027, saying that Abians will no longer fall for cheap propaganda.

“Those who created the problems of the past are the same people re-grouping again; but Abians are wiser now. They can see the transparency and direction of this government,” he added.

This is as he declared that the era of sharing government money to people to win their favour was over in the state.

According to him, Gov. Otti’s focus is not to give out handouts to people, but to create prosperity through provision of enabling business environments and productive engagement of citizens.

Ajagba who spoke when he received in audience, the new leadership of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Abia State chapter, led by its Chairman, Deacon Steve Oko, said Abians had under Otti, tasted quality leadership, and could no longer be deceived with empty words.

He said that Otti came to work for the people and not to use public funds to please cronies and praise singers.

“The Governor has not come to share money, but to create prosperity. True empowerment is about helping people to be productive, not dependent”, he declared.

The Chief of Staff attributed the reduction in crime wave in the state to Otti’s conscious attention to providing the enablers of development such as infrastructure and investor-friendly business atmosphere.

“Crime has reduced, people are becoming more engaged and self-reliant, because the Governor is providing the friendly atmosphere” Ajagba said.

Claiming that Otti came fully prepared for leadership, Ajagba attributed “the rapid transformation” being witnessed in the state, to the Governor’s prudent management of scarce resources.

He said he would be surprised if Otti was not performing considering his background and antecedents.

“Before his foray into politics, His Excellency was already fulfilled in his banking career. His decision to leave that position in 2014 to serve Abia was not driven by financial motivation, but by a genuine desire to give back to society,” he said.

He said Otti deserved commendations for achieving so much without borrowing.

“Since assumption of office, this government has not borrowed a dime, yet development is ongoing across all sectors.

“This is possible because of deliberate financial re-engineering and prudent management,” he said.

Describing journalists as key partners in progress, Ajagba commended their professionalism and objective reporting of government’s activities.

He recognized the crucial role of the media in promoting accountability and good governance, assuring of the readiness of the Otti-led administration to partner Journalists.

Ajagba thanked the Correspondents Chapel for the visit, and assured that journalists would continue to enjoy safe operational environment in Abia.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Deacon Steve Oko, said the visit was to enlighten him further on the crucial role of the media as partners in progress.

He explained that as the watchdog of society, Journalists are constitutionally and morally bound to hold leaders accountable for the people, a responsibility, he vowed to uphold.

Deacon Oko who noted that some observable progresses had been recorded in the state since the emergence of Gov Otti, urged the Governor not to relent in his developmental strides.