Abia North Stakeholders Reaffirm Support for Otti’s Governance Model Beyond 2031

Group photograph of Abia North stakeholders at Ugwueke meeting, in Bende Local Government Area of the state

Abia State stakeholders from the North Senatorial District, under the aegis of the Alliance for Good Governance, on Saturday converged on the Isieke Civic Centre, Ugwueke, in Bende Local Government Area, where they reaffirmed their resolve to support, protect and sustain what they described as the good governance model of Governor Alex Otti, OFR, beyond 2031.

Abia North Senatorial District is made up of five Local Government Areas ,
Arochukwu,Bende,Isuikwuato,Ohafia and Umunneochi

According to a statement issued by the Head of Information, Government House, Umuahia, Divine Nwankwo, and posted on his Facebook page, the Ugwueke meeting was the second chapter meeting of the group following its inaugural gathering, which was hosted in Abiriba by Chief Ebueme Ezikpe.

The meeting attracted prominent sons and daughters of Abia North.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the Secretary and Spokesperson of the Alliance, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, said the gathering was aimed at consolidating the gains of the Abiriba declaration and affirming the group’s position that Abia State had witnessed a significant improvement in governance under the present administration.

“The purpose of this meeting is to reiterate that Abia has never found it so good in terms of good governance and that this good governance must be sustained at all costs,” Prof. Mkpa stated.

According to Prof. Mkpa, who read the communique:”The meeting unanimously agreed that the present administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, represents good governance. All speakers were unanimous in their desire that beyond 2031, when he leaves office, the next generation of Abia leaders must continue with the template this administration has initiated. There will be no going back. On the contrary, we shall continue to improve and grow from strength to strength.
“It was also agreed that it is not enough to merely wish that Governor Alex Otti will remain in office beyond 2027; all hands must be on deck to actualise it.
“We resolved to embark on massive voter education, particularly at the grassroots and among less-literate members of the population. We also agreed to mobilise our youths not to succumb to pressure or inducement from other parties and not to sell their votes. If anyone gives them money, they should collect it, but at the right time, vote for Dr. Alex Otti and all candidates in his lineup.
“We are non-partisan. We are elders of Abia North, a voice crying in the wilderness, calling on all and sundry not to allow this singular opportunity we have prayed for over the years,which God has graciously granted us in giving us a person like Governor Alex Otti,to slip through our fingers.”

Prof. Mkpa added that the group had encouraged the Governor to continue breaking new ground during the remaining months of his first term and into his second term.

“In the past, we fretted, we trembled, we were afraid and intimidated to be identified as Abians. But today, we can raise our shoulders high and say proudly, we are Abians.”he said .

In an interview, former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, said Abia North stakeholders had not only resolved to support Governor Otti’s re-election but had also mapped out strategies to mobilise support for him.

“Almost everyone here has a political structure. These structures will go to the grassroots to enlighten our people at the lowest level. But I can tell you that with good governance in place, our people are knowledgeable. They know what is good and what is bad, and the difference is clear. Abians have seen good governance and infrastructure everywhere. Let Abians come out en masse to support His Excellency come 2027, so that Abia will be reckoned with among other States in the world,” Dr. Ogah stated.

For the host, Sir Johnson Chukwu, the Alliance was established to create a platform through which opinion leaders could contribute to shaping the direction of governance, drawing from what he described as Governor Otti’s achievements in road infrastructure, education, healthcare and other sectors.

“My wife and I are elated to be the second hosts of the Alliance for Good Governance in Abia North. The purpose of this gathering is to institutionalise good governance in Abia State as epitomised by His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti. We are fortunate as a people to now have good governance. We need to ensure we institutionalise it across Abia and across the federation,” Sir Chukwu said.

In his remarks, renowned banker and former Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings, Elder Urum Kalu Eke, who worked with Governor Otti in the banking sector, said the Governor had made professionals proud through what he described as his performance in public office.

“I was invited to lend credence to the fact that we have one of us who left the industry to make a difference in our home State, Abia. We are proud of his representation. We are proud that he has demonstrated quality and replicated at the public sector level the things we advocate in the private sector. Today, we endorse all he has done. There is no point making a change when there is no need. If you have someone who has performed so well—not just by our acknowledgement but across the country, where even his brother Governors use him as a reference point for what governance should look like—you retain him,” Elder Eke stated.

In their goodwill messages, Chief Ray Nkemdirim, Chief James Ochunkwo, Engr. Stephen Ndukwe, Mazi Victor Okoronkwo, Barr. John Ajuga, Prince U. D. Onuoha, Dr. Ukwu Rocks, Chief Ogbusuo Otah, Chief Inah Obasi, Chief Ananso Okriko and Okwodu Egwuruonu Obasi underscored the need for strategic planning towards Governor Otti’s re-election and pledged their support.

Earlier, the initiator and convener of the Alliance, Chief Ebueme Ezikpe, emphasised that the group was not a political party and that none of its members was a government contractor.

“What has happened in Abia today is clear and visible. Everybody in Abia State has confirmed that the difference is clear. We must sustain and protect this kind of governance which we have never seen before. We are looking beyond 2031,” Chief Ezikpe declared.

The meeting was attended by members of the Ugwueke Council of Traditional Rulers, as well as leaders and stakeholders from across Abia North, including some who flew into the country specifically to participate in the engagement.