By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has dismissed growing opposition threats ahead of the 2027 governorship election, insisting that his administration remains focused on delivering good governance and tangible dividends of democracy to residents of the state.Speaking during a church service at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Umuikaa District Headquarters, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, the governor said he was not perturbed by political attacks or statements from opposition figures, including a former governor who recently vowed to block his re-election bid.
Governor Otti stated that his mandate is firmly anchored on service delivery, not political distractions. He noted that the same faith and resolve that saw him emerge victorious in the 2023 election would guide his administration through future political contests.“ I assure you that this government will continue to do the right thing. No individual or group is entitled to distract us,” Otti said. “When there is noise, we should not be bothered. We must remain focused on what we have to do.” The governor questioned what he described as the premature focus on the 2027 election, stressing that his priority remains governance. According to him, performance and accountability to the people are the most credible tools for political validation.“
For us, sometimes I wonder if it is the 2027 election they are talking about, or if there is another election coming sooner,” he added. “The same way God delivered 2023 is the same way 2027 will be settled.” Observers note that Abia 2027 has already begun to dominate political discourse in the state, with opposition parties intensifying rhetoric against the incumbent administration. However, Otti has consistently maintained that his administration will not be drawn into early political battles.
The governor reiterated that delivering quality infrastructure and improving the welfare of Abians remain his administration’s core objectives. He said service delivery, rather than political propaganda, would speak for his government at the appropriate time. During the visit, the governor responded to concerns raised by the church over flooding within its premises and surrounding areas. He directed the Commissioner for Works to extend ongoing drainage construction to Umuikaa Junction to address the problem.
Otti also announced progress on major road projects in the area, including the dualisation of a key federal road. He explained that although the road is under federal jurisdiction, the Abia State Government secured approval to reconstruct and dualise it in the interest of residents.“ As you can see, we are at the final stages of dualising this road,” the governor said. “We are also working on the road from Onuimo to Tower. Our goal is that once anyone enters Abia State, they can immediately see the difference.”
He assured the congregation that his administration would continue to govern with transparency, honesty, and accountability, while thanking religious institutions for their prayers and support.In their responses, community members and church leaders commended Governor Otti’s leadership style and reforms, pledging continued support for his administration. They described his emergence in 2023 as a turning point that restored hope and confidence in governance across the state.
