The Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, Most Rev. Augustine Ndubueze Echema, stated that Abia State Governor Alex Otti is a man of integrity. He added that the governor’s works will campaign for him ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Bishop Echema made the remark on Sunday at the Christ the King Cathedral on Asa Road, Aba. He welcomed the governor and other guests who gathered to celebrate his 40th priestly anniversary.
He thanked the governor for agreeing to build a retirement home for priests in the diocese. The bishop recalled that he had discussed the need with Otti barely three months earlier.
Bishop Echema said, “Let me go to our amiable governor. It is not for up to three months we invited you here and then we cornered you and presented our needs. I mentioned that day that I am dealing with a governor with integrity. And I have no fear of any contradiction to repeat it here. We are dealing with a man with integrity. If you are in doubt, you go to Aba. He is a man of integrity.”
He continued, “I am telling you (Otti) I have said it before, I am not campaigning for you and I don’t need to campaign for you. The work that you have done so far will campaign for you. You will continue to go higher and higher and I know you will do it (building the retirement home). Thank you so very much.”
In his speech, Governor Alex Otti congratulated Bishop Echema on the milestone. He described the bishop as a rare gift to Nigeria and prayed for his continued good health.
Otti announced that he and his friends, including the Chairman of Unubiko Foundation, Chief James Ume, and Ide John Udeagbara Foundation, would fund the retirement home project. He stressed that the project would not involve government funds.
The governor also informed the gathering that work on the Abia Airport runway at Nsulu had progressed significantly and would soon be completed.
