The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, says the time for Abia people to rejoice is now.


Otti, who spoke on Sunday in Umuahia at an interdenominational thanksgiving Church service to celebrate his inauguration as Governor on May 29, 2023, subsequently declared that Abia people will rejoice very soon.


"This is the time for the people of God to rejoice. The book of Proverbs 29 verse 2 says that when the righteous is in power the people rejoice, and I know that Abia people are going to rejoice very soon," the Governor said. 


He repeatedly poured out his heart in thanksgiving to God for the great things He has done for Abia people, especially with the outcome of the recent elections in the state. 


"We cannot thank God enough for today.  We give all the praise, all the honour,  all the adoration to him," he supplicated. 


Responding to an advise by Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election to take care of the poor in Abia, Dr. Otti said his administration would not only work for the poor but would lift them out of poverty. 


He said: "We have come here to work for Abia people and Abia people we will work for. We've not come to work for big men; we believe that big men will always find their way. But the peasants, the farmers, the poor people all over the place, we have promised to lift them out of poverty and that we would do."


Speaking earlier, Obi admonished Otti to take care of the poor in Abia and to always be grateful for the grace of God upon his life.


"Do not abuse the grace of God. Let everything you do be to the good of the poor people in Abia. Let the poor people be happy, let the retirees and pensioners be happy," Obi, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event submitted. 


He promised to return to Abia after four years to campaign for Otti's re-election because, according to him, he knows that the Governor will do well.


The interdenominational service organised under the auspices of the Abia State Thanksgiving Service was conducted by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Abia State. 


The event, with the theme, 'The Lord Has Done Great Things for Us', held at the Trade More Event Centre, Okpara Square. 


Prayers were offered for the Governor and the First Lady, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, and the Deputy Governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, who was also in attendance with his wife, Adaeze.


- Kazie Uko 

Chief Press Secretary to The Governor 

Abia State 

04/06/2023