Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti has defended his decision to appoint Dr. Ezinne Chinyere Benjamin-Kalu, wife of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, as Chairman of the Board of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) in Aba.
The appointment has attracted criticism because of the well-known political differences between Governor Otti and Benjamin Kalu. However, Otti dismissed the backlash as mere “noise” and insisted the choice was based strictly on merit.
Speaking on Saturday, April 26, 2026, at the wedding of his Aide-de-Camp, ASP Emeka Ogbonna, the governor explained that Dr. Benjamin-Kalu topped a rigorous interview process he personally conducted in 2025 with seven shortlisted candidates.
“Recently, we made an appointment for the Chairman of Abia State University Teaching Hospital Board. And somehow, I think I hear some noise left, right, and centre,” Otti said.
“We don’t care whether she’s APC or PDP or YPP or whatever. Those are not important. We don’t even care whether she’s from Abia or from Delta or from anywhere. We are interested in what is in her brain.”
He added that the gap between her performance and that of the second-placed candidate was significantly wide, making her the clear choice when the board was reconstituted.Otti stressed that appointments in his administration are driven by competence and capacity to deliver, not by political affiliation, ethnicity, or personal ties.
The newly reconstituted board is expected to reposition ABSUTH as a centre of medical excellence, research, and professional training in Abia State.
This development continues to generate discussions across the state, with opinions divided between those who see it as a pragmatic, merit-based decision and others who perceive possible political undertones.
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