2027: Abia North Group Mobilises Support for Otti, Says ‘There Will Be No Going Back’

UMUAHIA — Leaders and stakeholders from Abia North Senatorial District have renewed their backing for Governor Alex Otti’s re-election bid in 2027, saying they intend to sustain what they described as his administration’s governance model beyond his tenure.

The stakeholders, operating under the Alliance for Good Governance, had earlier adopted Otti as their preferred candidate at a meeting in Abiriba.

At another meeting held in Ugwueke, Bende Local Government Area, they reaffirmed that position and resolved to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

A communique signed by the group’s Secretary and spokesperson, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, said the meeting was held to consolidate the Abiriba declaration and reaffirm support for Otti’s administration.

The stakeholders said they viewed the administration as representing good governance and wanted future administrations to maintain its approach.

“The meeting unanimously agreed that the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti represents good governance. All speakers were unanimous in their desire that beyond 2031, when he leaves office, the next generation of Abia leaders must continue with the template this administration has initiated.

“There will be no going back. On the contrary, we shall continue to improve and grow from strength to strength,” the communique stated.

The group said it would mobilise support for Otti through grassroots voter education, with particular emphasis on residents with limited literacy.

It also urged young people not to sell their votes during elections.

The alliance described itself as a non-partisan organisation of elders from Abia North interested in promoting what its members consider good governance.

Mkpa said members expected Otti to continue implementing his administration’s programmes during the remainder of his first term and, if re-elected, into his second term.

“In the past, we fretted, we trembled, we were afraid and intimidated to be identified as Abians. But today, we can raise our shoulders high and say proudly, we are Abians,” he said.

Ogah outlines mobilisation plan

Dr Uche Ogah, former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, said the group had already mapped out strategies for mobilising support for Otti.

According to Ogah, members of the alliance have political structures that would be deployed to different communities for voter education and mobilisation.

“Almost everyone here has a political structure. These structures will go to the grassroots to enlighten our people at the lowest level.

“But I can tell you that with good governance in place, our people are knowledgeable. They know what is good and what is bad, and the difference is clear. Abians have seen good governance and infrastructure everywhere,” Ogah said.

He called on Abia residents to support Otti in the 2027 election, saying the state could benefit from the governor’s administration.

Sir Johnson Chukwu, who hosted the meeting, said the Alliance for Good Governance was created to provide a platform where opinion leaders could participate in governance discussions.

Chukwu listed road infrastructure, education and healthcare among areas where he said the Otti administration had recorded progress.

“We need to ensure we institutionalise it across Abia and across the federation,” he said.

Eke backs Otti’s performance

Elder Urum Kalu Eke, former Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings and a former banking colleague of Otti, also expressed support for the governor’s performance.

Eke said Otti had demonstrated professional standards in public office and argued against changing an elected official who had performed well.

“I was invited to lend credence to the fact that we have one of us who left the industry to make a difference in our home State, Abia. We are proud of his representation,” he said.

The convener of the alliance, Chief Ebueme Ezikpe, earlier clarified that the group was not a political party and that none of its members was a government contractor.

Ezikpe said the alliance’s interest was in preserving what it described as the current governance approach in Abia.

“What has happened in Abia today is clear and visible. Everybody in Abia State has confirmed that the difference is clear. We must sustain and protect this kind of governance which we have never seen before. We are looking beyond 2031,” he said.

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