No Law Says I Must Operate From Government House, Otti Replies Predecessors

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has dismissed criticisms from some of his predecessors over his choice of working location, stating that no law mandates a governor to operate from any specific place other than the Government House.
Speaking while reacting to the comments, Otti explained that the Nigerian Constitution and relevant laws only recognise the office of the governor, not a compulsory physical location from which official duties must be carried out.
According to him, governance is about effective leadership, decision-making and service delivery, not where a governor sits to work.
“There is no law that says a governor must operate from a particular place,” Otti said. “What the law recognises is the office of the governor, and wherever the governor carries out official duties, that place becomes official.”
The Abia governor noted that his administration is focused on rebuilding the state’s institutions and infrastructure after years of decay, stressing that debates about office location are a distraction from more pressing governance issues.
Otti also pointed out that modern governance allows leaders to work from multiple locations, especially in an era of digital communication, adding that what matters to Abians is results, not symbolism.
He urged critics to focus on constructive engagement and accountability, rather than politicising administrative choices.
The governor’s comments come amid ongoing political exchanges between his administration and some former Abia State leaders over governance style and reforms.