…As Wabara says no cabal will decide Abia’s future
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Stakeholders of the Ukwa La Ngwa nation, spanning nine local government areas, have endorsed Governor Alex Otti for a second term and donated N100 million to purchase his “return ticket” ahead of the 2027 elections.
The endorsement took place during a grand civic reception on Friday at Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, organized in honor of the governor.
Chairman of the occasion and former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, declared that no individual, group, or cabal would be allowed to determine Abia State’s political destiny in 2027.
“Only Abia voters will decide who governs the state,” Wabara said, apparently referencing threats by a coalition of former governors to block Otti’s second-term bid and hand the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He added: “The era of a few individuals imposing leaders on the people is irretrievably gone. Leadership must be earned through competence, credibility, and track record—not imposed through manipulation and selfish interests.”
Wabara warned that any attempt to manipulate or subvert the people’s will would be resisted. “Abians will never again surrender their mandate to any cabal. The old order is gone—irretrievably gone,” he declared.
Commending Otti’s performance, Wabara urged him to consider the PDP as a platform for his second-term bid, citing unresolved leadership crises within the Labour Party.
“The PDP offers a stronger and more stable platform to consolidate the gains of this administration in 2027,” he said, while describing the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Road, Aba, as an iconic project that had silenced critics.
Earlier, Elder Theo Nkire, leader of the Ukwa La Ngwa nation, praised Otti for raising the bar of governance through visible and impactful projects across the state. He pledged the unwavering support of Ukwa La Ngwa people and urged the governor not to be distracted by political opposition.
Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, announced Ukwa La Ngwa’s decision to purchase a return ticket for the governor, highlighting his achievements in infrastructure, health, and education.
“Even the blind can see that the governor has done well,” Emeruwa said.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) noted that Otti had set a new standard in governance, urging him to continue road construction projects. National Secretary of the Labour Party, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, described Otti as “God-sent,” promising massive support at the polls.
In his response, Governor Otti thanked the people for the endorsement and assured them that his administration would always prioritize their interests. “This is your government. Your interest will always come first,” he said, adding that opposition to his administration was driven by selfish interests.
Otti announced the completion of Ovom Road in Aba and revealed plans to flag off more projects, including the reconstruction of Enyimba Hotel into a five-star facility to be managed by Radisson Blu.
“Our style is not to flag off and abandon projects. We want the hotel to start functioning by next year,” he said.
He also urged Aba residents to register for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and remain vigilant in securing their communities.
