Otti Warns Abians: Don’t Trade State’s Future for ₦5,000, Rice Ahead of 2027 Elections
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has urged voters to reject financial inducements from politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against sacrificing the state’s future for temporary material benefits.
Otti gave the warning on Sunday while speaking at the Second Session of the Seventh Synod of the Anglican Communion, Diocese of Aba Ngwa North, held at All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Aba.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Caleb Ajagba, spoke on the theme, “Don’t Just Absorb It; Think It Through,” urging residents to carefully consider the long-term consequences of their political choices.
He cautioned voters against accepting items such as ₦5,000, ₦10,000, wrappers and bags of rice from politicians in exchange for their support, insisting that such benefits should not determine the future of Abia State.
“The people who created a problem that God now had to answer your prayer to send someone after His own heart; they are all over again. But the Bible says surely they shall proceed no further. Please, let us be careful,” he said.
The governor added, “When God opens a door, may we not close it. Don’t use the ₦5,000, the ₦10,000, the wrapper, or the rice they will give you and close the destiny of Abians for the next four years.”
Otti also urged Christians to remain vigilant as politicians intensify their engagements ahead of the elections, alleging that some political actors who previously ignored the church and its members were now reaching out for political reasons.
He said the renewed attention from such politicians should be carefully scrutinised rather than accepted without question.
Reflecting on his administration’s performance, Otti said the first three years had largely been devoted to laying the foundation for Abia’s development after what he described as 24 years of ruins.
He expressed confidence that the next four years, beginning in 2027, would focus on consolidating the gains of his administration.
“What will now be happening is consolidation, and beauty will emerge,” he said, adding that Abia State had become a point of reference.
On the church’s development projects, the governor pledged to identify with the project until its completion, while maintaining that public funds must be directed towards the development of the state rather than individual religious projects.
Earlier, the Bishop of Aba Ngwa North Diocese, Rt. Rev. Nathan Kanu, said the synod’s theme challenged Christians to move beyond merely hearing messages to examining issues critically, praying for guidance and responding wisely.
He commended Otti for identifying with the church and supporting its activities, while presenting gifts to the governor’s representative and praying for blessings upon the governor and his administration.
In his sermon, the guest speaker and Bishop of Ohaji/Egbema Diocese, Rt. Rev. Chidi Oparajiaku, urged Christians not to take things for granted but to think carefully about whatever they hear.
The synod was attended by several dignitaries, including the Labour Party National Vice Chairman for the South-East, Ishmael Onuoha; the party’s Abia State Chairman, Peter Azubuike; and the Mayor of Osisioma Local Government Area, Chidi Agu, among others.
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