2027: Nobody Can Challenge You Because The Good Works On Ground Will Speak— Catholic Bishop Echema Tells Governor Otti

The Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese – Most Rev. (Prof.) Augustine Ndubueze Echema has declared that the works of the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, will speak and campaign for him. Bishop Echema made the declaration on Sunday, 27th April, during the thanksgiving service of Rev. Dr. Christian Ikpeamaeze at the St. Peter Claver Catholic Parish Umueleghele, Eketa in Isiala Ngwa South LGA.

“Your good works will campaign for you. I always tell my people, if you cannot see, can’t you also hear. Nobody believed, even myself here; I never knew that governance could be as good, as easy, and as effective. I never believed that Aba could ever be clean as it is today.

“Not to talk of roads all over the place – roads that are being built and not just pouring of sand. If you want to contest, what I am saying, go to Port Harcourt Road, Aba and see a solid and durable road. What I speak is what I am seeing. We are grateful to you (Governor Otti).

“For the very first time, Abians are proud to be Abians and proud of their Governor. This is not a campaign, what we are saying is what we are seeing. I have always said it, even now, and during the previous administrations, my benchmark for any government of Abia State is Port Harcourt Road, and it has come to be today, thanks to you,” the Revered leader of the Catholic Diocese of Aba Stated.

Speaking further, Bishop Echeme said that, though he doesn’t own any shop at Port Harcourt Road, Aba, he has seen how light has come back to Port Harcourt Road, and also observed that the people that left the area have come back, noting that, “that is what good governance should be”; creating the enabling environment for the people to prosper in their lawful endeavours.

While thanking Governor Otti for the cordial relationship that exist between him and the Catholic church and for always identifying with the church, the leader of Aba Dioceses of the Catholic Church stated that, when Nigerians from all walks of life gather, they always discuss the challenges facing Nigeria. He revealed that, when Abia is mentioned presently, it’s all about positive comments, with many wondering where Governor Otti is getting all the money he is using to carry out the massive and visible developmental projects across the State.

Most Rev. Echema also recalled when the Governor visited Christ the King Cathedral, Aba during their 2024 Chrism Mass, where the Governor told the pensioners that sooner than later, they would smile as the arrears of pensions owed them by previous administrations would start hitting their bank accounts.

“It is not just roads, he came last year during our chrism mass and told us that before the end of the day, pensioners will smile. We thought it was a joke. At the end of the day, I asked whether it happened, and my people confirmed. It is not just about infrastructure, workers at all levels are getting their pay,” Bishop Echema added amidst applause from the happy worshipers.

“I stand here to thank you today for your good works. As you continue with your good works, no Jupiter, no evil can ever come your way. Nobody can challenge you because the good works on ground will speak,” Bishop Echema declared as the congregation echoed a resounding amen affirming his declaration.

Earlier in his speech to the crowd of worshipers who could not hide their joy of having him worship with them, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, expressed his profound gratitude to God almighty for sparing the life of Rev. Dr. Christian Ikpeamaeze who went through a complicated surgery that lasted for almost 7 hours at a Germany Hospital in December last year.

Governor Otti, who stated that he was very happy worshiping with the congregation and sharing in the joy for the life of Rev. Dr. Ikpeamaeze, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare to Abians and reversing medical tourism abroad to Abia State. He disclosed that the announcement for the ground-breaking of the construction of a world-class medical village in Isiala Ngwa South LGA would be made soon; assuring that all manner of ailments that Nigerians go abroad for cure would be treated there.

Governor Otti equally assured that as soon as the 200 Primary Healthcare Centers currently undergoing renovation and retrofitting across the 184 Wards of the State are delivered, another 200 would be selected for renovation and retrofitting until all the 948 Primary Health Centers in the State are fixed to service the Primary healthcare needs of the people.

Governor Otti also stated that the construction of a brand new Eketa Market, which he disclosed would be completed before the end of the year, would serve as a model for the construction of Markets in other places.

Rev. Dr. Christian Ikpeamaeze expressed his heartfelt gratitude to God for sparing his life after a dimmed hope of survival. He expressed his profound gratitude to Governor Otti for honoring his invitation and for the massive transformation going on across the State, saying that he could not recognize some places around the area because of the positive changes from the State of things in the past.

The event attracted religious leaders, top government functionaries, and political leaders, among other dignitaries.

Ctz. UKOHA NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.