Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has explained why his administration does not interfere with the operations of security agencies in the state.

Otti said the policy was driven by his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and doing what is right.

The governor spoke on Wednesday at a send-off ceremony in Umuahia for outgoing security commanders who served in Abia State before their recent transfers.

Responding to remarks by some of the outgoing commanders about his non-interference in their duties, Otti said his administration had nothing to hide.

“The reason we don’t interfere is that we have nothing to hide. And for us, what is right is right. If it is not right, it’s not right,” he said.

The governor commended the outgoing commanders for their sacrifices, hard work, cooperation and discipline in securing the state, describing security as one of the most difficult responsibilities.

“I want to also thank the outgoing service commanders for their sacrifices, for their hard work, for their cooperation, for their discipline in working with everyone to secure this state. It’s one of the most difficult jobs. A lot of you don’t sleep, so that the rest of us can sleep,” Otti said.

He said his administration relied on the security commanders because it considered security a priority, adding that their collaboration had produced impressive results.

“So, I relied on all of you, and because we take it very seriously, and because we also have God on our side, the results have been very impressive,” he said.

Otti assured the outgoing commanders that the relationships they had built with the state would remain cordial and said any of them who wished to return and work for the state would be welcomed.

“We need foreigners to develop our state. Once you live in our state, you are an indigene. We and you are brothers. We will accommodate you if you wish to come back,” the governor said.

SSG commends outgoing commanders

Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Meribole, said the ceremony was organised to honour the security commanders following their transfers from the state.

Meribole said their departure would not diminish the impact of their contributions, noting that their efforts had helped strengthen Abia’s security architecture.

“The peace we are enjoying today is as a result of your sacrifice,” he said.

In separate goodwill messages, the outgoing commanders thanked Otti for supporting them and refraining from interfering in their official duties.

They included the Commander of 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brig. Gen. H.M. Bello; the state Commissioner of Police, now Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Danladi Isa; the State Director of the Department of State Services, Ibrahim Sarki; the state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akinsola Aderemi; and the state Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Chigbu Odoemenam.

The commanders said the governor’s support and non-interference had contributed to improved security in the state.

“We have not seen where the governor does not interfere with the security architecture and readily give assistance to us. Abia is today safe because of this,” they said.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, retired Navy Commander MacDonald Uba, urged the newly appointed security commanders to emulate their predecessors and sustain the existing cooperation between the security agencies and the state government..