Former President Olusegun Obasanjo praised Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for abolishing the law that permitted former governors and their deputies to receive pensions, urging other governors to follow Otti’s example to decrease the expenses of governance.
During a visit to Otti’s residence in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, the ex-President condemned the pension system for former governors and deputy governors, labeling it as a form of robbery that allows them to acquire properties in Abuja and elsewhere while ordinary citizens struggle to receive their pensions.
Obasanjo commended Otti for taking a stand against this practice and encouraged him to persist despite facing criticism and opposition, emphasizing that if more governors adopt similar measures, the country will witness positive changes. He also acknowledged Otti’s efforts in enhancing infrastructure and restoring public trust in the government, urging him to continue focusing on infrastructure development due to the enterprising nature of the people of Abia State.
Otti expressed his gratitude towards the former President for acknowledging his efforts in repealing the pension law, emphasizing that his administration’s primary focus was on enhancing infrastructure development for the people of the state. He highlighted the significance of power infrastructure for industrialization, production, manufacturing, and the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises.
The Abia State House of Assembly recently passed a bill sponsored by the Majority Leader, Okoro Uchenna Kalu, aimed at repealing the pension law for former governors and deputy governors. The bill went through the necessary readings and considerations before being signed into law by Governor Otti, who reiterated his belief that leadership entails stewardship and serving the people without exploiting them.
