Abia State Governor Alex Otti has issued a blunt warning to his appointees: anyone involved in bribery or corruption will be immediately dismissed.
Speaking during a church service at Abayi District of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Aba, Otti said his administration will not tolerate graft. The declaration follows the recent sacking of six officials from the state Ministry of Justice over alleged salary padding.
Otti said his return to Abia politics was driven by a desire to restore the state’s dignity and the integrity Igbo people are known for. He urged civil servants to reject demands for pay-to-play arrangements.
“If anybody tells you to bring money for anything, tell him it is a lie. He is a dupe,” the governor said. “That is why you will never see bribery and corruption in this government. If you get involved, I will fire you. We are intolerant of corruption and nobody can plead for you.”
The governor also highlighted a recent merit-based recruitment drive, noting that 5,394 teachers were employed without any payment or influence evidence, he said, that his government prioritizes transparency and competence.
