Governor Alex Otti has defended his decision to appoint Dr Ezinne Chinyere Benjamin-Kalu as Chairman of the Board of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, amid growing criticism over the move.
The appointment attracted public attention partly due to her relationship with Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who is regarded as a political adversary of the governor.
Speaking on Saturday during the wedding ceremony of his Aide-de-Camp, ASP Emeka Ogbonna, Otti dismissed the criticisms as “noise,” maintaining that the appointment was based strictly on merit and professional competence.
He explained that Dr Benjamin-Kalu emerged as the top candidate among seven individuals he interviewed in 2025 for the position.
“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 center.
“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”, Otti said.
