Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has defended the appointment of Mrs. Ezinne Chinyere Benjamin Kalu as Board Chairman of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, stating that the decision was based strictly on merit rather than political or regional considerations.
Speaking in Umuahia during the wedding ceremony of his Aide de Camp, the governor addressed criticisms surrounding the appointment, emphasizing that due process was followed. According to him, the selection process involved a thorough evaluation, including personal interviews with seven candidates.
Otti explained that Mrs. Kalu emerged as the top candidate by a significant margin, noting that her performance clearly distinguished her from other contenders. He added that her international exposure and professional network played a key role in her selection.
The governor stressed that his administration does not prioritize political affiliation, ethnicity, or state of origin when making appointments. Instead, he said the focus remains on competence, capacity, and the ability to deliver results.
“We are interested in what individuals can offer, not where they come from or which political party they belong to,” he stated, reinforcing his commitment to merit driven governance.
Otti further highlighted that this approach has been consistently applied across his administration, including the appointment of permanent secretaries and the recruitment of thousands of teachers. He noted that ongoing plans to hire additional educators would also follow the same transparent and merit based process.
The governor maintained that prioritizing competence ensures effective governance and improved service delivery, urging residents to support policies that promote excellence over sentiment.
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