In what could be described as a public endorsement for the 2027 Governorship election in Abia State, the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Rev. Fr. Michael kalu Ukpong has told those campaigning to takeover from Governor Alex Otti, OFR, in 2027 that they are wasting their time.
Speaking when he hosted the Governor to a lunch at Mater Dei Cathedral, Umuahia, to celebrate his impactful and remarkable achievements, in his 2nd year anniversary in office, Bishop Ukpong made it clear that the Governor’s good works in just two years have done the campaign for him.
The Catholic Bishop pointed out that things he thought would be impossible to happen in his lifetime in the State have been made possible by Governor Otti.
”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 telling the 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 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,” Bishop Ukpong noted.
While recalling his ugly experience in 2018 when he went to Arochukwu through ndi-oji road that was in a sorry state, Bishop Ukpong expressed delight that it was a pleasant experience earlier this year when they went on a pastoral visit in Arochukwu because the road had been fixed by Governor Otti administration.
“I couldn’t believe it,” the Bishop excitedly stated.
“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.
“Already, what is happening in the social media, even comedians are using it to crack jokes, “whoever is going to contest 2027 governorship election in Abia State is wasting their time. 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,” the Catholic leader asserted.
Responding, Governor Otti thanked the Bishop for deciding on his own to celebrate him and thank God for the modest achievements of his administration in the last 2 years.
While acknowledging the significant support of other groups and stakeholders, Governor Otti said that the greatest support came from the churches.
He pointed out that leadership is all about stewardship and service, adding that anytime leadership moves away from stewardship and service, it becomes self-serving and selfish.
While disclosing that what they met on the ground on the assumption of office was a terrible situation, the Governor reassured that greater things are coming compared to what the people had already seen so far.
“But 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 2 years without borrowing any kobo,” he disclosed.
On the recently approved USD263 Million loans for the State by the Africa Development Bank, Islamic development Bank, etc, giving the State buffer to help accelerate and spread people-centered development projects, Governor Otti explained that it was good to have the funds available but that they would only be accessed as the need arises and assured that they would be prudently managed.
