Written by Steve Oko
The political climate in Abia State has grown more tense since the start of the year as plans for the 2027 general elections progressively gain traction.
past Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and current Governor Alex Otti had a verbal altercation that turned into a full-fledged political conflict that pitted Otti and his hordes of fans against a coalition of past governors and their allies.
It is a struggle for Abia’s soul! Otti, who has the overwhelming support of the populace, is adamant about bringing about a new age, while the old order seems frantic to regain power.
Otti has made it clear that he would work for the people rather than serve stakeholders with Abia monies.
It is viewed as a conflict between light and darkness in some places. However, all of the gladiators think they are fighting for a worthy cause.
The first blow came when Senator Orji Kalu, a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the incumbent representative of Abia North Senatorial District, said that Otti’s backing was not necessary for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win Abia in 2027. Kalu stated that he alone was able to deliver Abia for the APC.
In a statement sent by his media assistant, George Maduka, the former Senate Chief Whip accused Otti of “overestimating his political relevance” and asserted that influential parties had to step in to save Otti’s 2023 run for governor.
Additionally, Kalu insisted that he had worked behind the scenes to promote Otti’s victory, recalling purported visits by Otti and his campaign staff to his Igbere home on election eve.
He promised to stop supporting the governor before 2027 and instead concentrate only on his party, the APC.
Otti’s camp responded quickly and decisively. The governor’s destiny in 2027 will be decided by the Abia electorate alone, not by political godfathers, according to his media aides, who blasted Kalu as a “spent force” trying to stay politically relevant.
By publicly stating that he would back a senate candidate from his party (the Labour Party) to oppose Kalu’s ambition for a third term in 2027, Governor Otti himself increased the stakes.
Otti, a proponent of performance, is adamant that in 2027, his accomplishments and the general public will matter more than his affiliation with political godfathers.
During a news conference at his Igbere country home, Kalu questioned Otti’s much-discussed performance and escalated his blows at the former banker, plainly drawing battle lines.
He claimed that no significant new infrastructure development had been started and accused Otti of only repairing and repainting roads built during his own term (1999–2007).
Kalu also asserted that Otti had access to significantly more financial resources than his predecessors and maintained that the governor’s accomplishments did not match the amount of money coming into the state.
“This business is not done on social media; it is done with the people,” Kalu remarked, accusing Otti of using his media aides against him.
The former governor also declared that in order to secure the APC’s victory in 2027, he would actively campaign on the streets, in contrast to past elections when he kept mostly indoors. Other former politicians and governors join the battle
When Kalu enlisted two of his successors, former governors Theodore Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu, together with other former political office holders, in the Otti-must-go offensive, the battle took on new dimensions.
At their meeting in Umuahia, the group declared the creation of a political platform called “The Team” and pledged to deny Otti a second term.
Additionally, they threatened to sue the governor for allegedly governing Abia from his country residence in Nvosi rather than Government House.
Reaction to an anti-Otti plot
However, a significant portion of the population seems to have reacted negatively to the coalition’s actions. The coalition is seen by many Abians as a deliberate attempt to undermine what they characterize as a reform-driven government.
Otti’s admirers believe that his achievements in less than three years—particularly in infrastructure restoration, budgetary discipline, settlement of wage and pension arrears, education and healthcare reforms—have overtaken the combined records of preceding administrations.
This opinion is shared by many locals who consider Otti to be one of the new faces of transformation and excellent government.
In the South Eastern Region, Gov. Otti and his counterpart from Enugu State, Peter Mbah, are highly regarded performers.
Several groups and influential individuals have since rallied behind the governor to push back his traducers.
Some posers on the street: Why did the former governors, some of whom had been odd bedfellows since leaving office, suddenly create an alliance? Is it possible that Otti refused to comply with a request? Does the sudden affection for Tinubu and the APC stem from a self-serving desire to provide them Abia at all costs? Is this Otti-must-go campaign motivated by real love for the masses or envy? Time will tell.
People and groups respond
A political pressure group called Abia Patriots warned the past governors not to “truncate the prevailing good governance” in the state.
In a statement released by its secretary, Mazi Adindu Madumere, the group questioned Senator Kalu’s abrupt support for President Tinubu, citing his purportedly ambivalent position in the 2023 presidential contest.
In a same vein, Ikwuano stakeholders from all four clans condemned the former governors and reminded them of their lack of authority to make decisions on behalf of the people.
In response, Most Rev. Chibuzor Opoko, the Methodist Archbishop of the Umuahia Archdiocese, advised Governor Otti to disregard them and maintain his concentration.
The clergyman assured the governor that “his works will speak at the polls” and described the purported plot against him as doomed to fail in a sharply worded letter.
The Archbishop praised Otti’s leadership as a change from previous mismanagement, saying, “A sweet fruit-bearing tree attracts stones.”
On behalf of the Methodist community, Archbishop Opoko cast a vote of confidence in Otti, stating that reformers are frequently misinterpreted but advising the governor to maintain his resolve.
Adding their voices, chairmen of the 17 local government councils in the state passed a vote of confidence in the governor, describing the former governors as “architects of a failed past unsettled by present progress.”
Speaking on behalf of the council leaders, Hon. Chinedu Ekeke, Chairman of ALGON and Chairman of Isuikwuato LGA, stated that Otti had strong grassroots support throughout the state.
“Performance and the will of the electorate, not political gang-ups, determine leadership in a democracy,” Ekeke stated, urging detractors to offer evidence rather than threats and false tales.
As stakeholders diverge, the former deputy speaker cautions against “Messiah Syndrome.”
Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe, a former deputy speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, criticized Otti and his followers for failing to recognize the contributions made by previous administrations to the state’s advancement.
Ndukwe, who has held positions as Commissioner under Okezie Ikpeazu, Chief of Staff to former Governor T.A. Orji, and Counselor in the Old Aba LGA, contended that criticism and a strong opposition are essential to good administration.
“After 24 years, one man cannot claim to be the one creating Abia.” When Umuahia was a pompous village, I was there. He remarked, “I was present when Orji Uzor Kalu constructed roads to open up the capital.
He cautioned against what he called the “Messiah syndrome,” contending that leaders who present themselves as the only ones who can save people frequently become authoritarian.
“I have never witnessed a politician declare himself to be the sole Messiah. These leaders frequently become despots.
Even though the old Government House is now being rebuilt, Ndukwe criticized Otti’s decision to not live in the Governor’s Lodge in Umuahia, claiming it compromises the integrity of public office.
He also accused the governor of intolerance to dissenting viewpoints.
“He shouldn’t believe that he can rule without opposition. Opposition cannot be destroyed. Even his former cabinet members are speaking. Many praising him publicly are grieving in their closets.”
“Not every politician can be retired. That is what we do, what we do as a profession, and our job. He entered as a banker, of course. However, he is currently working in politics. Another person will most likely audit his work after he departs.
He warned that it could be dangerous to underestimate the growing alliance of past governors.
“Not every politician can be retired. That is what we do, what we do as a profession, and our job. He entered as a banker, of course. However, he is currently working in politics. Another person will most likely audit his work after he departs.
He warned that it could be dangerous to underestimate the growing alliance of past governors.
Ndukwe, a current APC chieftain, cautioned, “When the public cooks for one man, he cannot finish it.”
But Otti’s supporters say that he would not be the only Governor functioning from outside the Government House, noting his predecessor Ikpeazu that also lived at his Obingwa home. Furthermore, they contend that Otti is constructing the Governor’s lodge and will move to Umuahia once it is finished.
Stakeholders resist
In response, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, the previous chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, insisted that only voters would decide Otti’s fate in 2027 and characterized the conversations as typical campaign season bluster. “The opposition will always find issues and seek to return, regardless of how well the government has performed. They can only return by attempting to redo or demarket what has already been done. However, they can accomplish it to a certain extent.
I’m not surprised by what is going on. People are aware of who did what. Performance, not propaganda, will be compared by those who ride on well-maintained roads and observe noticeable changes.
Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, a former minister of health and education, had similar opinions.
“Otti is not working for former governors, but for the people.” The prior Governors have had their days, and Otti must be allowed to have his too. His future will only be decided by Abians.
Ambassador Sunday Onukwubiri, the state’s APGA chairman, charged the former governors with being inconsistent.
“He was previously acclaimed by some of them. The more they criticise and conspire against him, the more they irritate the people.”
Additionally, the APGA Chairman argued that the claim that Otti had received more money than any of them was unfounded because it is impossible to compare the amount of money and the exchange rate between then and now.
Elders, Scholars, and Pensioners Talk
Elder Emeka Okezie, the chairman of Abia Pensioners, recalled harassment during previous regimes and declared that pensioners will support Otti.
“Otti’s campaign has ended with accomplishments. Elderly voters will support him once more.
He counseled the former governors to cease claiming authority that they do not possess, arguing that the people who have experienced all of them would choose their leaders.
Professor Chijioke Uwasomba of OAU, Ile-Ife, called the purported gang-up “immoral.”
“People who are incapable of performing will oppose this gang-up. So they want to return us to Egypt after 24 years of failure? Abians will oppose it! We are unable to return to Egypt once we have left.
US-based Abia, Uzochukwu Obi, challenged the former Governors produce their scorecards before ganging up against a performer.
Obi challenged the prior governors not to test the people’s will, accusing them of underdeveloping the state.
Kalu Idika Kalu, a former finance minister, called for moderation, arguing that people should have the freedom to make their own decisions. The senior politician advised that Abians should not be teleguided by anybody but left to independently make their choice based on their observations.
Sen. Adolphus Wabara, the former president of the Senate, cautioned against interfering with the governor’s efforts to reimagine Abia. “No group has the authority to decide Abia’s fate. Abians have opted for performance over propaganda.
“We will vehemently and collectively oppose any attempt to influence, threaten, or subvert the will of the people in the 2027 elections. The populace is awake, vigilant, and committed to upholding its mandate. “It is impossible to restore the previous arrangement. Abia will never again be held captive by avaricious political merchants whose sole motivations are self-interest and power.
But Wabara reiterated his demand that Otti become a member of the PDP, citing it as a more powerful platform for his 2027 campaign.
