Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, Speaks after Meeting Tinubu

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu, expressing optimism that “positive changes are on the horizon.”

Otti, who paid a Christmas homage to the President in Lagos on Sunday, acknowledged the challenges inherited by the Tinubu administration, including high inflation, a substantial debt burden, and widespread unemployment.

“Tinubu came in at a difficult time when inflation was close to 30 percent, the national debt almost $40 billion, and unemployment close to 33.3 percent,” Otti said.

He commended the President’s courage in unifying the exchange rate and removing fuel subsidies, which he described as a “scam” that cost the nation dearly. However, he also acknowledged the initial hardships these policies could bring, particularly for the over 60 percent of Nigerians living below the poverty line.

“Those policies are good but they come with their negative sides,” Otti admitted. “They come with challenges for an economy where over 60 percent of the population live below the poverty line. So, it’s not going to be easy immediately, but I believe that if we are patient and if we go through the policies without compromising, over time, things will turn around.”

Otti further lauded Tinubu for authorising the reconstruction of the failed portion of the Port Harcourt-Enugu Expressway, a critical artery connecting Abia with the south-east region. He reported progress in the ongoing work and expressed confidence that the road would soon be open, significantly reducing travel time between Port Harcourt and Aba.

“Our partnership with the Federal Government to bring development to the people is at different levels,” Otti said. “After elections, politics takes the back seat, and governance takes pre-eminence. All we are doing is for the interest of Nigerians, and the federal government is also supporting us.”