Otti Wipes Away Tears From Abia Councillors, Begins Payment of 24-Year Arrears | READ DETAILS

In what many political observers have described as a defining moment in Abia's governance history, the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has approved the commencement of payment of arrears of salaries and entitlements owed to former elected councillors from 1999 to 2023.

The cheering announcement was made on Sunday at the JAAC Secretariat, Umuahia, during a high-level interface with over 1,000 members of the Association of Elected Former Councillors of Abia State, led by their State Coordinator, Hon. Tony Agbanyim.

Governor Otti disclosed that payments will begin before the end of the month and will be executed in batches to ensure proper harmonisation of records.

"By the end of this month, we will start the payment in batches. This is not about politics. Whether you are a member of my party or not, you will be treated fairly and equally,ÔÇØ the Governor assured.

For over two decades, successive administrations left the entitlements of former councillors unpaid - a situation that triggered litigation, hardship, and deep frustration among beneficiaries.

Governor Otti explained that when the proposal was brought before him, he saw it as a matter of justice and stewardship, not political calculation.

"When you are given a position of leadership, it is for you to solve problems,ÔÇØ he said, adding that all pending court cases were harmonised after affected members voluntarily withdrew their suits in the spirit of reconciliation.

The Governor commended the former councillors for choosing peace and dialogue over prolonged legal battles, describing their action as a demonstration of trust in his administration.

In an emotional address, Hon. Tony Agbanyim lamented that more than 80 members of the association and their relatives reportedly died during the prolonged wait for their entitlements.

"It has not been easy for us. We have lost more than 80 of us to avoidable deaths,ÔÇØ he stated, describing the Governor's intervention as a turning point that has restored hope.

In a dramatic political development, the Association unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Governor Otti and adopted him as their sole governorship candidate for the 2027 election. The motion was moved by Barr. Geoffrey Ike and seconded by Chief Ndukwe Oju Uka.

The meeting attracted key stakeholders including Senator Darlington Nwokocha, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, and the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Augustine Nmeregini, who described the Governor's promise as credible and assured the councillors that "his yes is yes and his no is no.ÔÇØ

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, thanked the Governor for correcting what he termed "the injustices of the past,ÔÇØ expressing optimism that collaboration with former councillors would strengthen grassroots governance.

Governor Otti reiterated that governance must be anchored on fairness, integrity, and problem-solving - not political expediency.

Observers note that this move may significantly reshape Abia's political landscape ahead of 2027, as grassroots structures appear to be consolidating around the Governor's reform agenda.