Traditional rulers in Abia State are now receiving a significant boost in their monthly stipends — thanks to Governor Alex Otti.

Eze Okey Ananaba, the traditional ruler of Okahia autonomous community in Obingwa LGA, revealed that some monarchs were previously paid as little as N10,000 monthly before Governor Otti stepped in.

“Traditional rulers in Abia State have never had it this good since the return of democracy in 1999,” Eze Ananaba said.

“Our stipends under previous administrations were nothing to write home about, revolving between N10,000 and N30,000. We were in excruciating pain.”

According to the monarch, the governor increased the minimum monthly stipend to N250,000, now paid on the 28th of every month along with civil servants.

Ananaba commended the governor’s leadership and urged other traditional rulers to support his administration.

“Despite our roles as custodians of culture and maintenance of law in our communities, we were treated unfairly before. But unexpectedly, Governor Alex Chioma Otti heard our complaints and took action.”

Highlighting the governor’s achievements, he cited improvements in roads — particularly Port Harcourt Road in Aba — and upgrades in health centres and schools.

He called on fellow monarchs not to sabotage the governor’s development agenda, saying, “Let us continue to support Governor Otti to avoid returning to those dark days of agony.”