Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has bowed to criticism over his choice to operate from his Nvosi country home instead of Government House, Umuahia, the state capital.
Since assuming office in 2023, Otti has been operating from and conducting government businesses at his 15-kilometre home in the Isiala Ngwa South local government area.
Otti announced this during a Sabbath Church service at Unity Chapel, Government House, the capital, last Saturday, saying the delay was due to the house needing upgrading.
He argued that though the upgrading was needed and essential, it was not as important as many other things that directly impacted the state’s people.
His words: “As economics students, we have brought a scale of preference. And, we sat down and said, okay, everything is essential, some are more important than others.
“We didn’t think the Government House was more important than your salaries. We didn’t know this place was more important than the primary healthcare centres.
“We didn’t think it was more important than making education free at the basic level so that our children and those who cannot afford to pay will have the opportunity you and I had.
The governor also explained that the Governor’s Lodge, “which is more or less like a makeshift place, would be reconstructed alongside the Unity Chapel in Government House.
He urged the worshippers to continue having faith in God and paying attention to their health, families, and children. He thanked state residents for their support and sustained prayers for his administration.
In a sermon entitled “Facing The Giant”, earlier, an elder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ezekwem Odigbo, recounted how David challenged and triumphed over Goliath, who had been tormenting the Israelites.
Odigbo, who took his Holy Bible text from 1 Samuel 17:32-37, tied the victory to David’s belief that he was a child of God, knew who God is, and depended solely on His power of deliverance.
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