Why Abia Alex Otti Will Be Re-elected in 2027

Ikechukwu Eleanya There is a song that has gained widespread popularity in Abia State, from the deepest ends of Abia North, to the very interior of Abia South and Abia Central Senatorial Districts. The song, though a seemingly political campaign piece, appears to appeal to Abia indigenes of all age groups: old and young. The wordings of the song, like the rhythm is very simple: “It’s Alex Otti Or Nobody.” Far ahead of the elections, while most opposition governors were running from pillar to post switching from one political party to the other, Otti held on to his Labour Party. This is because of his confidence that his performance will speak well for him and that the people he is serving for over three years would not be deceived no matter what. Though the Election Day itself is still a little far away, the resolve and the passion of common Abians to re-elect their governor is red hot and real. Commenting on why Governor Alex Chioma Otti should be considered for re-election, Mrs. Ijeoma Nwaoma, an Economics teacher in Aba, said in an interview: “If there is any current state governor in Nigeria that deserves re-election on merit in 2027, that state governor is Governor Alex Chioma Otti of Abia State. “I say so because his four years in office as governor in the state has truly demonstrated to all of us that purposeful leadership is the primary factor a society needs to optimize it’s best potentials for development.” Nwaoma, 42, who said she was born in Aba and has so far lived her adult life here, attempts to give a graphic account of was the situation was before and now the difference she insists Governor Otti has made since his assumption of office as the Chief Executive Officer. She said: “Before Otti’s victory in the 2023 governorship election, Abia State was one of the states at the rock bottom of almost all development indexes we heard of. I do not however intend to bore anyone with the macro figures. “Let us focus just on basic quality of life here in Abia State before Alex Otti’s emergence and after. You will agree with me that our people here, especially those of us in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, suffered serious humiliation; we cried of filth, stench and what I may describe as criminal socio-economic neglect. “As if we were dreaming, that story changed from the very day Governor Otti was sworn in as governor. “Today, traders who come from neighbouring states like Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers or Rivers and Imo no longer cover their noses as they shop. They no longer need rain booths to walk through Ngwa Road, School road and their environs. Why? Aba has received life and is a glow. Thanks to Otti, a state governor who understands why our people fought so hard to ensure he took over power.” Nwaoma queries: “for a governor, who has brought in so much positive changes, why would anyone talk of denying him a second term to consolidate on the good works he has commenced? His re-election will be based on merit. He deserves it.” Senior lawyer, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN is another prominent Abia son that recently offers compelling reasons why he believes Governor Otti must be re-elected. He said in a published speech: “For many years, I have preached, advocated and fought for good governance in Nigeria. On several occasions, friends reminded me that no matter how loudly I shouted about good governance at the national level, the struggle would amount to little if charity did not begin at home. “I took that advice to heart and domesticated my struggle. From 2013 to 2023, I committed myself to the political and developmental aspirations of Abia State, until the God of Abia answered our prayers in 2023. “Today, Abia State is in the hands of the man we collectively fought to enthrone. His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, has demonstrated intentional governance, purposeful leadership and remarkable resilience. “His administration has given renewed meaning to the possibilities of good governance. His reward should be more work! “I am therefore unequivocally standing with Dr. Alex Otti in 2027 to complete his second and final constitutional term of four years.” Another a legal practitioner, Samuel Egburonu Esq, said in a brief encounter: “Governor Alex Chioma Otti has earned a second term. He has done so much that even his political rivals lack points upon which to challenge him in 2026. “Right now, I am just returning to Aba from the High Court in Abiriba. You will not believe it, today, Thursday, 5th November 2026, I left Aba this morning, around 7am by a Sienna bus and before 9.20am when the court started sitting, I was already seated at the bar in Abiriba. I left Abiriba around 1pm and before 3pm, I have returned to the office in Aba. “The road from Aba to Umuahia and from Umuahia to Item-Igbere junction and to Abiriba, is in great state. As a result, this same journey that used to take almost six frustrating hours today takes about two smooth hours going and two hours returning. “This is a realistic example of what has happened to Abia State in the four years that Dr. Alex Chioma Otti has been the governor. “Good things are good and there are supposed to speak for themselves but in Nigeria desperate politicians still try to confuse electorates during election seasons. But I think, even the most illiterate Abia indigenes today know the difference between good roads and bad roads, between ‘General Hospitals overgrown by weeds for decades and the newly revived hospitals. “Without sounding like a politician or campaign spokesman, I can tell you clearly that Otti will be re-elected on merit,” Barrister Egburonu said. He adds: “In fact, for the governor’s seat, I and most Abia electorates I know contend that Governor Otti has no serious rival. The feeling today is that political parties’ candidates may contest in other positions but not for governorship seat. From what I have observed, any candidate contesting against Otti is merely enjoying his democratic rights. It is a fact that Abians are eagerly waiting for Governor Otti’s re-election, the feeling being that even if Abia maintains it’s pace of development in the last four years for another uninterrupted four years, the state’ critical foundations would be better solidified,” Egburonu said. As Egburonu and Nwaoma alluded in their comments, Abia State, or Aba, a historic West African trade centre with an economy measured sectorally in multi-billion naira, was left to sink in the filth of neglect and abandonment by the governments that governed before Otti. “Today, barely four years after Otti stepped in, so much has changed. As Ms Nwaoma puts it: “Under Otti, Abia State has received fresh economic blood. With it is peace leading to increased economic and social activities. A public analyst, Dr. Jude Ugwu, also told our correspondent today that Otti’s star achievements since May 29, 2023 when he assumed office should be enough to guarantee him re-election in Abia. “We can see his work everywhere. It spans infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, and economic management,” he said. According to Ugwu: “It is on record that under infrastructure and roads, the lists are seemingly endless. They include but not limited to reconstruction and dualisation of major routes across the state, roads like Port Harcourt Road in Aba, Ossah Road, Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard, the Umuahia–Uzuakoli, Akara Abiriba road. There are also multiple commissioning of roads in Aba. “Still under infrastructure and transportation, another landmark achievement is the conceptualisation and construction of Prof Nnenna Oti Terminal in Umuahia. The structure, a new pride of Abia State, has completely radicalised transportation in the state. As Abia indigenes are celebrating a more dignifying and stress-free transport initiatives, Governor Otti is currently building another modern plaza in Aba. He introduced electric buses and green shuttle services (Abia Green Shuttle), another great initiative that has earned Governor Otti more admirers. Another critical development that is poised to ensure Otti’s re-election is his breakthrough in power and utilities. Partnered with the Geometric Power group for a 141 MW thermal power plant project in Aba, and inaugurated in early 2024, Otti restored electricity to communities like Ukwa West, and deployed thousands of solar-powered streetlights and transformers. Today, in Aba and environs, electricity supply has become part of the norm. Small-scale manufacturers in Aba are at the lead of the re-election song as they now work with light overnight. “If you add these concrete breakthroughs to what he is doing in primary healthcare, renovating hundreds of primary healthcare centers across the state (including the Ekwueme health facility renovation drive), etc, it will not be a surprise to any observer why Abia indigenes and all residents in Abia State are poised to re-elect Governor Otti, Ugwu said. On education, most the primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions are wearing new looks. Tertiary institutions get their subvention. Also 5,000 teachers were recently recruited that will earn Otti a second term on merit. To show how exceptional and unique Governor Otti is, amid growing concerns over alleged political intimidation, violence and disruptions targeting opposition supporters in different parts of the country ahead of the 2027 general election, last week he warned against political intimidation and attacks on opposition parties, directing security agencies to arrest and deal decisively with anyone attempting to disrupt lawful political activities in the state. He said no individual or group had his permission to attack opposition parties or prevent their members from carrying out political activities, regardless of their political affiliation. The governor’s directive drew attention to the importance of protecting political freedom and ensuring that all registered political parties can organise rallies, meetings and other lawful activities without intimidation. “You have no mandate from me to attack opposition parties who are doing their respective political activities.