By Uzoma Isiakpu
Like lilies in a Summer gloom, the New Abia under the dynamic leadership of Governor Alex Otti has been lustrous. Of a truth, the Abia ecosystem is glistening. Governor Otti’s performance in the almost three years of his first tenure has radically given Abia State a new and positive image.
From infrastructure, transportation, education, healthcare, environmental cleanliness, generation of employment, youth empowerment, prompt payment of salary and pension, among others, the governor is greatly transforming the Àbia landscape. His stellar performance and uncommon giant strides in all spheres of the state’s economy are visible and noticeable even beyond the shores of the state.
Unsolicited, political figures, stakeholders, groups, and even Church leaders have not only been commending Governor Alex Otti for turning everything around for good in the state, but have endorsed him for a second term in office come 2027.
Their reason for sanctioning the continuation of the governor ranges from his intentional infrastructural development of the state, offering quality governance, building confidence and trust, as well as bolstering the reputation of the state in the comity of states in the country and in the diaspora.
If the voices of persons like Senator Enyinnya Abaribe and Arch. Precious Okechukwu Nwagwu, to mention a few, and groups like Aba La Ohazu, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Àbia State Council of Community Chiefs/Heads, Forum of former Councilors in the state, and a legion of others, echoing the reelection of Governor Alex Otti, are considered to be partisan. What will be the conjecture of his endorsement by servants of the Most High God, even from outside Àbia State?
The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Center, Dr. Paul Eneche, during a visit to the state in March, highly commended Governor Alex Otti for what he termed “rapid transformation” and urban renewal of Abia State. The clergyman specifically pointed out the cleanliness of Aba and Umuahia, the state capital. Short of publicly vouching for the reelection of Governor Otti, Senior Pastor Eneche described him as a “gift to Àbia State.”
This was not so for the Catholic Bishops of Aba and Umuahia Dioceses, respectively, Most Rev. Prof.Augustine Echema and Most Rev. Dr. Michael Kalu Ukpong. The two Catholic Bishops have separately eulogized the superlative performance of the Abia State Governor and supported his being reelected in 2027.
Specifically, the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Kalu Ukpong, was frank and more direct in his support for Governor Otti’s second term. Emphatically, the Catholic Priest stated: “… The Governor’s performance has already guaranteed his re-election in 2027. Those campaigning to take over are wasting time…” He stressed that impossible things have become possible under Otti.
The loud voices and endorsements are indeed echoes of victory for Governor Alex Chioma Otti ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election. However, as the governor once said, it is the endorsement of God Almighty that will guarantee his re-election for a second term.
- Uzoma Isiakpu is a Public Relations Consultant
