Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has declared that he will retire from politics after completing his constitutionally allowed eight-year tenure as governor, firmly rejecting speculations that he plans to run for a Senate seat.
The Governor made this announcement during a reception organised in his honour by the Anambra Development Unions Association, Aba branch, where he dismissed the rumours as baseless and misleading.
“When I finish my eight years here, I will retire. I am not going to Abuja,” Mr Otti stated clearly, urging critics and rumourmongers to refrain from spreading falsehoods about his political future.
Governor Otti emphasised the importance of allowing younger leaders to step up in the changing political environment, reflecting on his own journey and the responsibility of paving the way for the next generation.
“We are no longer that young. Society is changing, and the young ones are rising. It’s time we give them the opportunity,” he added.
Also In his address, Mr Otti spoke about issue that has lingered in the state’s civil service since 2011—the disengagement of 154 state workers, most of whom were teachers.
He announced plans to revisit the matter, describing the dismissals as unjust and legally questionable.
According to him, the state’s head of service would be tasked with urgently reviewing the cases for possible redress. He hinted that those affected, especially those below 65 years of age, might be reengaged on a contractual basis due to the pressing need for more teachers in the state’s public schools.
The governor expressed disappointment that the dismissals were based on state of origin, a practice he criticised strongly.
“For those outside the age bracket, we’ll find fair compensation mechanisms,” he said, assuring the affected individuals and their families that justice would be served.
He reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and correcting injustices inherited from previous administrations.
