Otti reaffirms merit-based appointments, defends ABSUTH board choice

From Peter Okore, Umuahia

Governor Alex Otti has reiterated that all appointments under his administration are strictly guided by merit, dismissing allegations of political bias in recent selections.

The governor made this known on Saturday, April 25, 2026, during a ceremony at the International Conference Centre, Ogurube Layout in Umuahia, where he addressed concerns surrounding the appointment of Dr. Ezinne Chinyere Benjamin-Kalu as Chairman of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Management Board.

Dr. Benjamin-Kalu is the wife of Benjamin Kalu, who has recently been involved in a public disagreement with the governor, fuelling speculation that the appointment was politically motivated.

Otti, however, dismissed the claims, insisting that competence and capacity remain the sole criteria for appointments in his administration.

“In Abia, we are open to everyone. We are not concerned about where you come from or your political affiliation. What we want are results and performance,” the governor said.

Explaining the process that led to the ABSUTH appointment, Otti disclosed that he personally interviewed seven candidates for the role and that Dr. Benjamin-Kalu emerged as the top candidate by a wide margin.

“The person we selected came first by a clear distance. We waited until the right time to reconstitute the board, and when we did, it was only proper to appoint the best candidate,” he stated.

He emphasised that factors such as political party, state of origin, or personal affiliations played no role in the decision.

“We are not interested in whether someone belongs to APC, PDP, or any other party. What matters is what the individual brings to the table—their knowledge, competence, and network. In her case, her international connections stood her out,” Otti added.

The governor further stressed that meritocracy has been the guiding principle across all appointments made by his administration, including the selection of permanent secretaries and the recruitment of over 5,000 teachers.

He noted that the ongoing process to employ an additional 4,000 teachers is also being conducted strictly on merit, with no consideration given to ethnic or political backgrounds.

Otti maintained that the focus of his government remains on delivering effective governance by entrusting responsibilities to capable individuals who can drive results and improve service delivery across the state.