By Francesca Hangeior
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has thanked Abian residents for heeding his plea not to join the ongoing hardship protests, which have led to loss of life and property destruction.
Otti expressed his gratitude on Saturday, August 3, while attending Sabbath worship at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, No 1 School Road, in the Aba South Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Recall that Otti had previously appealed to Abians not to join the protests during a private breakfast meeting with Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
In a state broadcast on July 31, the governor acknowledged the people’s right to peaceful protest but expressed concern that hoodlums might hijack the protests and undermine the progress made under his administration.
Addressing the congregation, who were pleased to have him worship with them, Otti said, “I want to thank you and all Abia people who listened to my plea not to take to the streets, disrupt services and activities, or potentially cause mayhem.”
“The reason is not that conditions are not challenging; far from it. I recognise the difficulties we face today, but two wrongs do not make a right. Many of our people rely on daily earnings—traders, Keke riders, barbers, and taxi drivers — who put food on their tables based on their daily income.”
Otti noted that disrupting the activities of those who depend on daily earnings would only exacerbate the problems the protesters seek to address.
He added, “My plea was for us to discuss matters calmly. I want to thank Abia people for heeding that call. This does not mean we lack the right to protest, but there are more constructive ways to do so. I assure you that our Government has heard not only what you have said but also what you have not said.”
The governor also announced, to the delight of the congregation, that School Road would soon be repaired.
“As I arrived, I noticed the poor condition of this road (School Road). Rest assured, it will be fixed soon,” he said.
He encouraged the church members to focus on their blessings and the positive things God has done for them.
Otti expressed gratitude to the Church for their support since 2015, when he first contested the election, and for their continued support of his administration. He urged them to keep him and the Government in their prayers daily.
In a sermon titled, “Living out the Christian Slogan,” the resident Pastor, Ifeanyichukwu Nwaoguikpe, stressed that God has a specific purpose or mission for everyone on Earth.
He urged Christians to preach the gospel of everlasting life and the second coming of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible book of Matthew 28.
Nwaoguikpe also warned of impending doom and encouraged people to help those in need, illustrating his sermon with the story of the Good Samaritan from the Bible.
The officiating ministers of the Church prayed for the governor, his entourage, and the State.
Otti was joined in the service by the lawmaker representing Aba Central State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen; Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Apostle K.C. Wiper; the Mayor of Aba South, Hon. Uche Nwogu; the Abia State Acting Chairman of the Labour Party, Sir Emmanuel Nwaeze Otti; and others.