“I am not complaining” — Alex Otti mocks Nigerian politicians

The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has voiced his concerns over the state’s precarious financial situation inherited from his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu, citing significant debt accumulation without tangible developmental outcomes.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday, Governor Alex Otti lamented the dire state of affairs upon assuming office, expressing disappointment at the lack of transparency regarding the utilization of borrowed funds during Ikpeazu’s tenure.

Otti acknowledged that while he understood the necessity of taking on debts for developmental purposes, he found it disheartening that he could not discern any meaningful investments corresponding to the substantial increase in the state’s debt burden.

“Absolutely, very, very bad shape, but I am not complaining. I have folded my sleeves and I am just dealing with what I met here.”

He elaborated on the challenges faced upon taking office, highlighting issues such as unpaid salaries, pension arrears, decaying infrastructure, dilapidated schools, and rundown hospitals, which he attributed to the mismanagement of resources under the previous administration.

Governor Alex Otti emphasized the importance of responsible debt management, stressing the need for borrowed funds to be channeled into projects that contribute to the state’s development and improve the lives of its citizens.

He criticized the practice of accumulating debt for mere consumption without investing in critical sectors or addressing pressing needs.

“So, the issue is where did the money go? If I am going to take debt, it is going to go into regenerative expenditure. But when you are taking loans and you are running the state into debt, just for consumption, you are not investing in the state; you are not paying salaries; that’s actually what I was talking about.”

Reflecting on his approach to governance, Otti affirmed his commitment to addressing the inherited challenges head-on, despite the daunting task ahead.