Governor Alex Otti has declared that no project executed under his administration will be named after him while he remains in office, stating that public service should be driven by impact rather than personal glorification.
The governor said he does not subscribe to the practice of naming public infrastructure after serving political office holders, emphasizing that such honours should only come after an official has left office — and only if their performance justifies it.
“My belief is simple,” Otti said. “It is after you leave power that people may choose to honour your legacy, and that will only happen if you have truly performed well.”
The Abia State governor pointed to the enduring legacy of former Premier of Eastern Nigeria, Michael Okpara, as an example of leadership that earned public recognition through tangible achievements.
“Late Dr. Michael Okpara performed exceptionally, and till today we are still remembering and celebrating his legacies. That honour did not come from self-proclamation; it came from the people,” he stated.
Otti stressed that recognition and memorialisation should be organic decisions made by citizens, not initiatives driven by incumbents seeking to immortalise themselves while still wielding power.
“I am not in the school of thought that believes in naming projects after oneself while still in office. It is the people who will decide that when I leave,” he added.
The governor’s position has sparked conversations around political culture and legacy-building in public office, particularly in a system where infrastructure and institutions are often named after sitting leaders. His remarks reinforce a governance philosophy that prioritises service delivery and accountability over personal branding.