Abia State Governor, Alex Otti Defends Tinubu’s Economic Policies Amid Rising Inflation
In a recent interview with AriseTV, Abia State Governor Alex Otti expressed his support for President Tinubu’s economic reforms while urging Nigerians to be patient as the country navigates through these challenging times. Below are excerpts from the conversation:
Rufai Oseni: Has President Tinubu performed well in terms of economic management?
Governor Otti: Well, that’s a question I’m hesitant to answer. You see, I have the privilege of direct access to the President, and I engage with him frequently on various matters. It would be unfair for me to publicly evaluate his performance. Moreover, we are just 23 months into his administration—it’s still early to draw conclusions.
Rufai Oseni: Did you express concerns to President Tinubu when he declared a State of Emergency in Rivers?
Governor Otti: No, I didn’t. There are certain areas that I prefer not to discuss, especially issues involving other states or the federal government.
Rufai Oseni: But surely, it’s worth addressing such matters?
Governor Otti: I prefer not to engage in public discussions about individuals or government decisions. My focus is on my duties and responsibilities here in Abia State.
Rufai Oseni: With inflation rates soaring—currently at 24%, and predictions that it could rise to 37% in the coming years—do you ever share concerns like these with the President in your economic meetings?
Governor Otti: You’re asking if we’re sinking? The reality is that Nigeria has been struggling for years, and we’ve largely been in denial about it. The situation we face today didn’t start overnight.
Rufai Oseni: So, are you saying it’s not worth telling him about these issues?
Governor Otti: No, it’s not that. We do discuss these matters in meetings. But what I’m saying is that we’ve been facing challenges for a long time, and it’s a complex issue that requires time and effort to address.
Rufai Oseni: You support the removal of fuel subsidies, correct?
Governor Otti: Absolutely. The subsidy was long overdue for removal. For years, only a few privileged individuals like ourselves benefitted from it, while the broader population bore the consequences. The subsidy was essentially a scam. We needed to make a change, and I believe the combination of subsidy removal and the floating of the naira will eventually lead to positive economic outcomes. If we stay the course, I’m optimistic that the economy will recover.
Rufai Oseni: But the Naira continues to lose value steadily. Do you discuss this with the people in your state?
Governor Otti: It’s unfortunate, but these are sacrifices we must make. If we don’t face these issues now, the situation could worsen. We must take action today to avoid even greater economic problems in the future.
