- Abia State Governor Alex Otti has declared that his administration ignores political party affiliations and states of origin when selecting individuals for public office.
- Speaking at a wedding ceremony in Umuahia on Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Governor emphasized that “what is in the brain” is the only criteria that matters for those seeking to serve the state.
- Otti cited the recent appointment of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Management Board Chairman as a prime example of his rigorous, interview-based selection method.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has reaffirmed that the new Abia under his leadership operates strictly on a merit-based system, where capacity and character trump political or ethnic identity.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Governor made this clear during the wedding ceremony of his Aide-de-Camp, Emeka Ogbonna, at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, noting that he did not even know his ADC’s hometown when he hired him.
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“We don’t care whether she’s APC or PDP or YPP or whatever,” the Governor said, referencing his broader appointment strategy.
“We don’t even care whether she’s from Abia or from Delta or from anywhere. We are interested in what is in her brain.”
This statement follows recent high-profile appointments aimed at restructuring the state’s healthcare and educational sectors, where technical expertise has been prioritized over political patronage.
The Governor specifically highlighted the appointment of Dr. Ezinne Benjamin-Kalu as the Chairman of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital Management Board.
He explained that her selection was the result of a grueling interview process featuring seven candidates.
According to Otti, Dr. Benjamin-Kalu not only emerged as the top candidate but outperformed the runner-up by a significant margin, making her the undeniable choice for the role.
This commitment to performance-based hiring is also evident in the state’s civil service. The administration has already recruited over 5,000 teachers and is currently finalized plans to hire an additional 4,000 to bolster the education sector.
