Nigeria, April 27 -- Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has explained that he appointed Chinyere Kalu, the wife of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, as the chairperson of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Board based on merit.

Mr Otti disclosed this on Saturday during the wedding of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Emeka Ogbonna, in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

The governor, a member of the Labour Party (LP), recently faced heavy criticism after appointing Mrs Kalu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the chairperson of the ABSUTH board despite the political rift with her husband and different political affiliations.

Appointment was merit-based

Speaking during the wedding ceremon...