A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Mark Ugorji, has urged the people of Abia State to support the re-election of Governor Alex Otti in 2027, citing the governor’s impressive performance and developmental achievements since assuming office.
Ugorji, a native of Okwu Olokoro in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State who spoke with newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday while assessing the governor’s performance, said Otti had achieved what no previous governors had done in the state, particularly in infrastructure, education, commerce and industry.
According to him, the people of Abia State are already enjoying the benefits of the present administration, noting that the massive road construction and other infrastructure projects across the state were clear evidence of the governor’s commitment to development.
He said although state governments receive funds from the Federal Government, the level of development witnessed in Abia was not comparable to what obtained in some other states receiving similar allocations.
Ugorji attributed Otti’s performance to his competence and experience, recalling that the governor graduated from the university as a first-class student before rising to become a managing director of a bank.
He said, “For me, Alex Otti has done very well. People may criticise and say different things, but I have made up my mind to say clearly that Alex Otti is going for a second tenure. There is no vacancy in Government House, Abia State. We will give him maximum support, no matter whose ox is gored.”
The APC chieftain, who described himself as a principled and honest person, said he would support Otti’s re-election despite remaining a member of the APC.
He specifically commended the governor for the Smart School constructed in Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area, describing it as a project that demonstrated Otti’s commitment to the people of the area.
According to him, children in the area now have access to modern learning facilities and computers, exposing them to educational standards obtainable in other parts of the world.
Ugorji said Otti’s efforts to revive industries, organise technology workshops and attract investments into the state would create more employment opportunities for youths and contribute to addressing insecurity.
He said the youths remained critical to economic development, stressing that providing them with jobs and opportunities would reduce their vulnerability to criminal activities.
He further noted that the proposed airport project and other ongoing infrastructure initiatives would strengthen Abia’s economic prospects and make the state more attractive to investors.
According to him, Abia has gradually become an investment destination, with investors coming into the state seeking land and opportunities to establish businesses.
He said, “When I heard all these things, I made up my mind to say no, this man needs to go again. If he does what he has done in four years and does it for another four years, meaning eight years, Abia State will not be the same.”
Ugorji noted that Otti inherited a difficult situation and started from the scratch, adding that the foundation already laid by the administration would require more time to consolidate.
He said he and his followers, as well as those who believed in his leadership, would mobilise support for Otti’s re-election in 2027.
Assessing the governor’s achievements, Ugorji listed massive infrastructure and urban renewal projects, including the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road in Aba, the six-lane expansion of Ossah Road in Umuahia and the construction of the Omenuko Bridge.
He also commended the administration’s environmental sanitation efforts in Aba and Umuahia, saying the aggressive cleanup operations had helped address longstanding flooding challenges around major commercial areas, including Ariaria International Market.
On power and energy, Ugorji said the administration had partnered with stakeholders, including Geometric Power, to improve electricity supply and strengthen the state’s industrial capacity.
In the health sector, he said the administration had maintained significant budgetary attention to healthcare, upgraded primary healthcare centres and general hospitals, recruited health personnel and worked towards strengthening the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH).
He also highlighted the rehabilitation of public schools, improvement of learning infrastructure, stricter academic standards, the introduction of centralised promotion examinations, the compulsory teaching of Igbo and measures to curb examination malpractice.
According to him, the administration has also improved teacher welfare, extended retirement ages for educators and recruited qualified teachers to strengthen the education sector.
Ugorji further cited fiscal reforms, including efforts to reduce the state’s inherited debt burden, payment of outstanding salary and pension arrears, and the establishment of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) to attract investment and create employment.
On security, he commended the launch of Operation Crush, a joint security initiative aimed at combating kidnapping and violent crime across the state.
He added that the administration had strengthened collaboration with federal security agencies and facilitated permanent operational presence in strategic areas to improve response to security threats.
Ugorji said the achievements, among others, had convinced him that Otti deserved another term in office, insisting that continued support for the governor would enable him to consolidate the gains already recorded and complete more of his development agenda.
