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Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said there is no constitutional or statutory requirement compelling a sitting governor to operate strictly from the Government House, pushing back against threats of legal action over his decision to work from his private residence.
Speaking during a media interaction in Umuahia, the state capital, Otti said the law places no restriction on where a governor must live or conduct official duties. He added that he is prepared for any lawsuit from former officeholders who have questioned his choice.
The remarks come amid growing political tension in the state, with some former governors and their supporters accusing Otti of violating convention by operating from his home in Nvosi rather than the Government House in Umuahia.
Responding directly to the threat of legal action, Otti said he had reviewed the Constitution and found no provision mandating a governor’s place of residence or work location.
“I am waiting to be sued. My lawyers are ready,” Otti said, stressing that no law requires him to live in a particular place or conduct government business from a specific location.
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He explained that his decision was driven by the condition of the Government House, which he said was left in poor shape by previous administrations. According to the governor, extensive reconstruction is ongoing, including the rebuilding of the Governor’s Lodge and the construction of a new office complex within the Government House.
“The state in which they left the Government House speaks for itself. I don’t owe anybody an explanation,” he added.
Former governors Orji Uzor Kalu, Theodore Orji, and Okezie Ikpeazu, along with their political allies, had recently threatened to take legal steps to compel Otti to relocate to the official residence.
Meanwhile, the governor announced a one month extension of Abia State’s free electric bus service, a move aimed at easing transportation costs for residents.
Read Also: ‘Empty Barrels’ – Otti Dismisses Kalu, Orji, Ikpeazu Opposition Gang-Up
Otti said the fleet of twenty electric buses, which began operations in late December 2025, was initially scheduled to end its free service in January. The free rides will now continue until the end of February 2026.
The initiative is part of the administration’s broader public transport reforms, which have focused on reducing commuting costs and improving urban mobility across the state.
