Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, says his administration’s achievements are the result of strict fiscal discipline and deliberate efforts to cut the cost of governance.
Speaking at the funeral of Evelyn Ekeke Nunya, mother of Chinedu Ekeke, Otti said his Labour Party-led government has blocked access to public funds by those who once exploited the system for personal gain.
“We don’t allow people to steal the money. And that is why we are able to do many of the things we are doing. Because once you steal it, it is not available to be used to work,” Otti said.
He emphasised that reducing government spending remains a key part of his leadership approach.
“There is something called reining in cost of governance. Cost of governance is a big problem in Nigeria. So, part of our strategy is to rein it in, pull it down, so that we can use that money to work for you,” Otti added.
The governor paid tribute to the late Nunya, describing her as a woman of resilience who ensured her children had formal education despite not being educated.
“She worked hard to give her children the best she could afford, especially ensuring that they acquired formal education which she herself didn’t have,” Otti said.
In his remarks, Ekeke, who is also chairman of the state’s Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), thanked the governor for attending the funeral, saying his mother would have been proud of the honour.