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No law says I must operate from govt house, Otti replies predecessors

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Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said that no law mandates that a governor operate from anywhere other than the Government House.

This is as he declared that he is still in the Labour Party “for now”.

 

The governor, who stated this while responding to questions during a media parley in Umuahia, dared his predecessors who threatened to sue him for operating from his private residence at Nvosi instead of the Government House in Umuahia, to proceed to the court as quickly as they could.

Otti said his lawyers were fully prepared for any legal confrontation on the matter.

“I am waiting to be sued. My lawyers are ready. I have looked at the Constitution and there is nowhere it says I must live in a particular place,” the governor said.

Otti, who is currently rebuilding the Governor’s Lodge as well as a brand new office inside the Government House, said the facility was left in a deplorable condition by past administrations.

“The state in which they left the Government House speaks for itself. I don’t owe anybody an explanation,” he added.

Recall that some of his predecessors – Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, Sen. Theodore Orji, and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu – and their loyalists, recently threatened to sue Otti and compel him to relocate to Government House Umuahia.

Meanwhile, the governor announced the extension of the state’s free electric bus service by one month.

He explained that the 20 electric buses, which commenced operations in late December 2025 and were originally scheduled to end free services in January, would now continue to operate free of charge until the end of February 2026.

On the leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP), and speculations about his possible defection ahead of the next election, Otti said he remains a member of the party for now.

“I am still in the Labour Party today. Tomorrow is another matter,” he said.

The governor noted that the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Working Committee of the LP had been affirmed by a recent court judgment as the authentic leadership of the party.

“So, the Court judgment confirmed actually that his tenure has expired and advised people to obey court decisions to save the courts from unnecessary troubles.

“We are not in election period. If election comes, we will still run under the Labour Party, but nobody knows tomorrow. But today, I am still in the Labour Party.”

He said the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment had already been transmitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), expressing optimism that the electoral umpire would comply accordingly.

Otti urged the former National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, to respect and obey the court ruling.

“We are on the right side of the law. The court affirmed that Abure’s tenure has expired. People must obey court judgments to avoid unnecessary stress on the judiciary,” he said.

“We are not in an election season yet. When elections come, we will still run under the Labour Party. But today, I am a bona fide member of the Labour Party.”

Earlier in his remarks, the governor highlighted key achievements of his administration, particularly in education, infrastructure, and revenue generation.

He said the introduction of free education had led to a significant increase in student enrollment across public schools in the state.

Otti also disclosed that the iconic Omenuko Bridge at the Abam section of the Bende–Ohafia federal road had been completed and was ready for inauguration.

He added that several road projects across the state were progressing steadily, while the contractor handling the Ohafia–Arochukwu Road had been directed to return to the site.

The governor further announced that the expansion of the Lokpanta Cattle Market into a multi-sector commercial hub would soon commence following the State Executive Council’s approval of the project design.

He also revealed plans to digitise the collection of levies from hotels and other hospitality businesses to boost internally generated revenue.

“In the next few months, hotels will be assessed using verified criteria, and with the click of a button, they will receive their rates,” Otti said.

Reaffirming his commitment to good governance, the governor assured Abians of increased infrastructural development, stressing that his overriding goal is to leave the state better than he found it.

Source.  Vanguard

 

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Rep. Nkwonta Facilitates With Constituents, Nigerians On Easter

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 ……

Enjons Them  To Imbibe Christ -Like  Virtues

The Member, representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Chris Nkwonta, has enjoined his Constituents and Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, hope, patience, humility and love for humanity as exemplified by Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the real essence of Easter Celebration.

In a statement personally signed by the Legislator, he called on his Constituents and the Christian Community in Nigeria to demonstrate Christ-like virtues of love for humanity, hope for a better future, peaceful and harmonious disposition in their dealings with one another for a United Ukwa Federal Constituency and indeed Nigeria, where brotherly love reigns amongst Citizens.

He maintained that despite the prevailing temporary economic difficulties; there is light at the end of the tunnel and strong hope for a better, improved and secured economy within a short period of time.

Hon. Nkwonta, wished everyone a hitch free and joyous Easter Celebration!

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Police, Lawyer Trade Tackles Over Killing Of Peace Moses By Hit-And-Run Convoy

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The Rivers State Police Command has declared that the tragic death of a 26-year-old lady, Peace Moses, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was not reported in any of its divisions or units across the state.

Peace was knocked down last Monday evening by a convoy of about 15 fast-moving vehicles around Omega Junction along Ada-George Road in Port Harcourt.

She was returning from an evening service at her church, Love Channel Christian Centre, also located along Ada-George Road, when the tragic incident occurred.

Last Thursday, a candlelight procession was organised in her honour by her friends and neighbours.

Speaking with our correspondent  in Port Harcourt yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), wondered why neighbours could not report the incident to the Police.

Iringe-Koko stated that even the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Rumuepirikom Police Division was unaware of the tragic incident.

“Probably they didn’t report any such incident to the Police Station because the DPO in charge of that area is asking me where and when the incident occurred.

See, if they don’t report cases to the Police, how would the Police know? We are not magicians. I just spoke with the DPO, and she said she is not aware of anything like that.

“Somebody needs to report or anyhow, information needs to get through so that we too will get it,” she said.

But reacting to the claim by the Police, a human rights lawyer, Courage Nsirimovu, said that, with or without a report on the tragic incident, the Police are duty-bound to investigate the matter.

Nsirimovu said: “The duty of the Nigerian police is to secure lives and properties, and where a life has been lost in such grievous circumstances, the police have a duty to investigate the matter on the basis of their mandate and the public need to prevent such a menace to human life.

“The Police have a duty to investigate the matter, with or without a petition.”

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Nigerians may seek third term for Tinubu – Oluwo

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The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, on Sunday said many Nigerians might seek a constitutional amendment to allow President Bola Tinubu to remain in office beyond two terms.

The monarch, in a congratulatory message by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, to celebrate Tinubu’s 74th birthday, described the President as a decisive leader who has laid a renewed foundation of hope for the country.

“Many Nigerians may beg for a constitutional review for Tinubu to spend more than two terms in office. He is a leader who knows what he is doing,” he said.

Oluwo said the President had distinguished himself through what he described as a firm campaign against illegalities that had stalled the country’s economic growth.

He added that the President’s administrative prowess had driven notable gains, citing improvements in the naira, a rise in foreign reserves from about $1bn to between $49.5bn and $50.45bn as of late February/March 2026, and strengthened economic indices.

The monarch attributed the gains to structural reforms, including exchange rate unification, increased oil output and higher foreign investment inflows.

Oluwo also commended Tinubu for granting local government autonomy, increasing allocations to states, expanding road infrastructure and improving palliative distribution at the grassroots.

According to him, past leaders attempted similar economic reforms but were overwhelmed by public and political pressure.

He said only a capable leader could implement tough but necessary decisions to reposition the economy.

‎Oluwo added that the President’s policies had begun to impact the standard of living, noting that the next phase would be stability.

‎He said, “You are not yet a capable leader until you make decisions and stand by them. Many past presidents attempted to remove obstacles to economic prosperity but were overrun by public outcries. Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon leadership through reforms.

‎“Nigeria’s foreign reserves have increased to over $49.5bn from about $1bn. Local government autonomy is taking effect, states earn more, and road projects, including Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Sokoto-Badagry, are ongoing.”

 

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