Otti Announces Abolition of ‘State of Origin’ Dichotomy in Abia

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said there will be no division in Abia under his watch as indigenes and non indigenes resident in the state will be treated equally.

He said that his administration does not care where a resident of Abia comes from but was only interested in the competence and what the person can offer the state in service.

Otti said this at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia on Sunday during the thanksgiving service to mark his one year in office.

“I think what is most important is also that this administration does not discriminate, we don’t even want to know what part of Abia you’re coming from.

“We don’t even want to know what part of Igboland you come from. Once you reside here (in Abia), you are a part of us.

“That is why today, we have for the first time a Permanent Secretary, who does not come from Abia State, who does not come from any state in the South East but comes from Edo state,” Governor Otti stated.

Otti, who said that his administration refused to throw a celebration party for his one year in office, announced that a multi-billion naira terminal project which would have all motor parks and a railway station in one place, would be flagged off by his administration in Umuahia on Tuesday.

According to him, the city of Umuahia, which he described in the past as a glorified village, would witness a total infrastructural turnaround in the next one year with railway coming from Aba.

He appealed for more prayers and support from Abia citizens, saying that his administration would continue to do the right thing no matter the criticism from the opposition.

Preaching a sermon at the thanksgiving service, Rev Uma Onwunta of the Presbyterian Church, said God expects thanksgiving from his people.