The Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has paid a visit to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, saying the move was not politically motivated.
The visit came barely three days after Uzodimma’s ally and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Henry Ikoh, also visited Otti and praised him for his developmental strides in Abia State.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, Uzodimma dismissed insinuations of political calculations, describing the visit as a friendly New Year courtesy call in the spirit of the season.
Uzodimma said South-East governors were committed to working together for the development of the region, irrespective of party affiliations.
“So, my visit is a courtesy call to the Governor, who I have also seen is doing very well,” he said.
“I wished him a happy New Year and prayed with him so that the Almighty God will give us enough strength to continue to serve our people better and better. That is why I am here.”
He stressed that collaboration among the governors was key to regional progress.
“We in the South East are determined to develop the region. And the only way we can do this is through collaboration,” Uzodimma said.
“As the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, I have a responsibility to touch base with them, to discuss with them, share ideas and agree on how best to help the people of the region to survive.”
He added that the governors were united in ensuring that the South East remained firmly integrated within Nigeria.
The Governor said: “The five of us, Governors of the South East, have decided to make sure that the South East is part of Nigeria. And that is what we are working on.”
Uzodimma, who also serves as the Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in the South East and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, commended Otti for what he described as good governance in Abia State.
Responding, Governor Otti thanked Uzodimma for the visit and equally dismissed suggestions that it was politically driven.
“This is not necessarily a political visit, but because we are all politicians, there is no way we can’t discuss politics,” Otti said.
“But then, I think what is most important from what he has said is that government is one. You have the national, the sub-national, and then the local governments.”
He cautioned against equating party differences with opposition.
“You can’t be opposition in a government that you are part of. So, when people mistake an issue of different political parties as opposition, they miss the mark,” he said.
“You can disagree, and there are forums for disagreement. But once a decision has been taken, you are part and parcel of that decision.”
Otti reaffirmed that Abia State remains part of the federal structure, stressing that the visit was simply to exchange New Year goodwill.
Otti, the only governor elected on the platform of the Labour Party, has continued to attract attention from several political parties seeking to woo him.
Former Senate President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Adolphus Wabara, reportedly made overtures to persuade Otti to join the PDP.
The APC and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have also been linked to efforts to court the Abia governor.
However, Otti has repeatedly insisted he remains in the Labour Party, saying he would only consider other options if the party’s leadership crisis becomes irredeemable.
Uzodimma was accompanied on the visit by former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim, while Abia State’s Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, and other cabinet members were present.