The Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, Most Rev. Augustine Ndubueze Echema, has said the achievements of Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, will speak for him as he seeks re-election in the 2027 governorship election.
Echema, who described Otti as a governor of integrity, made the declaration on Sunday at Christ the King Cathedral, Asa Road, Aba, during the celebration of his 40th priestly anniversary.
The bishop, while acknowledging the governor’s presence at the anniversary, recalled that he had presented the need for a retirement home for Catholic priests to Otti about three months earlier.
He expressed appreciation to the governor for responding positively to the request, saying the proposed facility would provide a befitting retirement environment for priests and other Catholic clergy.
Echema said, “I mentioned that day that I am dealing with a Governor with integrity. And I have no fear of any contradiction to repeat it here. We are dealing with a man with integrity.
“I am telling you, I have said it before, I am not campaigning for you and I don’t need to campaign for you. The work that you have done so far will campaign for you.”
He expressed confidence that Otti would fulfil his commitment to the retirement home, adding that the project would relieve the Church of a significant burden.
Responding, Otti congratulated Echema on his 40 years of priestly service and described him as “a rare gift to Nigeria”.
The governor thanked God for sustaining the bishop through four decades of priestly service and prayed for continued strength and grace for him.
Otti also announced that construction of the proposed retirement home for Catholic priests, bishops, reverend fathers and possibly sisters would commence soon.
He, however, clarified that the project would not be financed from the Abia State Government’s coffers, saying it would be funded through private philanthropic initiatives.
According to him, the Alex Otti Foundation, Unubiko Foundation, led by Chief James Ume, Ide John Udeagbara Foundation and other private individuals would jointly finance the project.
“We want to take that problem off you. We will fund it. So, work will start very soon. And I know it’s not government’s fund. It’s from Alex Otti Foundation, Unubiko Foundation, Ide John Udeagbara Foundation and private concerns,” Otti said.
He added that the project would be executed to a standard capable of providing a befitting retirement facility for members of the clergy.
The governor also used the occasion to disclose that work on the Abia Airport at Nsulu had progressed significantly, particularly on the runway, which he said would soon be completed.
The anniversary celebration was attended by the Archbishop of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji; Catholic bishops from across the country; priests and Catholic faithful, as well as members of the Abia State House of Assembly, local government mayors, members of the State Executive Council, senior government officials and other dignitaries.
The bishop's comments about Otti's 2027 prospects were made in the context of his assessment of the governor's record and his response to the retirement-home initiative.
