2027: You can’t stop my re-election, Abia Gov tells Orji Kalu

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, says no individual or group can distract his administration with 2027 elections, stressing he is focused on delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Otti stated this at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Umuikaa District headquarters, Isialangwa South Local Government Area in company with his wife, Priscilla Chidinma.

“I am not bothered about 2027. The same God who settled 2023 will also settle 2027,” he said.

Otti vowed that his government will continue to do the right thing, not minding the attacks by the opposition.

He added, “No one, or group of people, whoever they are, is entitled to distract us.

“So, when they make noise, like I said last week, we should not be bothered. We should just remain focused and do what we have to do.”

Otti and three former governors of the state, Orji Kalu, Theodore Orji, and Okezie Ikpeazu, have lately been engaged in a war of words, with Kalu vowing to stop Otti’s re-election in 2027.

But while addressing concerns about political attacks, Governor Otti said, “Sometimes, I worry if it is the 2027 election they are talking about, or maybe there’s another election coming up. But the same way God delivered me in 2023, that is the way He will deliver me in 2027.”

Last week, the state government, through the governor’s Special Adviser on Policies and Interventions, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru, warned opposition figures against attempting to pit Otti against President Bola Tinubu.

According to Anokwuru, ”When former governors and past political office holders, whose records are still fresh in the collective memory of Abians, congregate to challenge the leadership of Dr Alex Otti, the public is entitled to interrogate not just their claims, but also their credibility. Everything about your supposed criticism against Dr Alex Otti’s administration is resting on ‘Renewed Hope.’ It is expected that an opposition made up of former governors should build arguments based on their own achievements, not by name-dropping President Bola Tinubu.”

On development projects, Otti apologised to residents for dust caused by ongoing road works:

“As you can see, we are at the final stages of dualising this road. It is a Federal road, but we got approval from the Federal government to reconstruct and dualise it. And as we are doing this, we are also working from Onuimo to Tower. The idea is that any time you get into Abia State, you know you’ve gotten into Abia State.”

Church leaders and members of the Alex Otti Vanguard Movement for Continuity 2027 also expressed support. Dr. Fineboy Ikechi Joseph, Elder G.C. Ukaegbu, and Elder E.C. Alozie praised the governor, stating:

“Governor Otti’s achievements across the state are enough to guarantee him a second term in office. His benevolence and leadership have brought hope to Abia people.”

In his sermon on “Living With Eternal Perspective”, Masterguide Chidera Mark cited Isaiah 40:28-31, reminding the congregation that God does not change or faint. He said:

“Before Governor Otti came, there were issues to worry about in Abia State, but his emergence brought hope. His re-election would sustain the hope and good works being witnessed today.”

The church service concluded with prayers for Governor Otti and the state government.