Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on Saturday received former governor of the state and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial district, Orji Uzor Kalu in his Umuehim Nvosi country home in Isiala Ngwa South LGA of the state.
This was as Governor otti used the occasion to reaffirm his philosophy that good governance and relationship rather than acrimonious party politics should be the focus of leaders once elections and litigations are concluded.
Otti told Kalu that he was the Governor of the entire State and not of any political party and therefore focused on carrying everyone along regardless of party affiliation.
Otti said: “Like I have always maintained, once after elections and probably litigations are over, political platforms take the back seat and governance takes the front seat.
“So, it is in that spirit that I welcome you, not as a member of a different political party but as the servant of the people of Abia State of which you are one of them.”
The Governor observed that, the choice of political party is the prerogative of the individual and should not be the object of acrimony, adding, “Once you are from Abia or you live in Abia, you are part and parcel of this Government.”
He thanked Senator Kalu, admitting that political parties are not instruments of war but platforms for good governance, which he said he was committed to giving Abia people.
Governor Otti also appreciated Senator Kalu for periodically offering valuable advice to him and for fulfilling his promise to visit him after missing his first anniversary dinner.
In his remark earlier, Senator Kalu said he came to see the Governor to discuss issues about the State and Nigeria, as well as give him progress report about what is happening in the country, saying that the important issue should be the progress of Abia State and not which political party one belonged.
According to Kalu, “As a former Governor, it was important that consultation continues, and I came to discuss some issues pertaining to the State and to Nigeria as a country and give you progress report of what is happening in the National Assembly.”
He agreed with the Governor that leadership should be about the burden of the masses and not party affiliation, noting that the whole essence ought to be the overall development of the State.
“Let us not look at what party we belong to, let us look at what we can do for Abia. Let’s keep our political flags and our political parties in our rooms, let’s develop our State,” the Senator declared.