Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, has said that he will continue to support President Bola Tinubu, submitting that President Tinubu takes difficult but courageous and necessary decisions to fix Nigeria’s economy.
He noted that the removal of fuel subsidy, which he described as a scam, was a courageous decision by President Tinubu and ought to have been done long ago.
Governor Otti stated this on Sunday when he received in audience Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of Abia State, and Chris Adighije, Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, who once represented Abia Central Senatorial District, as both men paid him a friendly visit to commend and encourage him for the good works he is doing in the State and also use the opportunity to discuss governance issues with him.
“When you talk about supporting President Tinubu, the President and I are very good friends and our friendship predates party politics and current positions; we agree on so many issues, and as it is natural, we know where we disagree. But, when you talk about the economy, what Mr. President is doing has always been my position for a long time,”said Otti.
He urged people to go back and read his columns at the back of Thisday Newspaper, some years back, especially during the Covid-19, where he said that it was time to remove fuel subsidy when off-takers were rejecting crude shipped to them, saying they had no need for it.
“So, it requires somebody with courage to remove that subsidy and I am in support of it. We have behaved in an irresponsible manner for a very long time. And, when you have years of irresponsible behaviour, the correction would be tough, difficult, and painful. It is the correction that we are going through now; if we don’t lose faith, we will eventually get it right.
“So, talking about supporting the President, it’s a no-brainer; I will continue to support him because it is the same administration,” Otti noted.
While taking a swipe at people talking about 2027 in 2025, Otti said, “People in 2025 are talking of 2027… you can’t even talk about 2027 because there is no guarantee that you would go beyond 2025. Who are you to begin to talk about 2027?” he questioned as he imagined the audacity of those talking about 2027, trying to play God.
“Today is certain; tomorrow is a promise. Next tomorrow is gambling. Let us talk about today; when tomorrow comes, and we are lucky to be part of it, we can hold the discussion,” OttI stated.
He added that nobody is competent to talk about tomorrow except he or she wants to play God.
