Ahead of the 2027 General Elections, the Abia State Deputy Mayors Forum, comprising all Deputy Mayors across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Governor Alex Otti, OFR, endorsing him for a second term in office.
The endorsement was announced on Friday in Umuahia at the end of a strategic workshop, during a media briefing by the Forum. Speaking on behalf of the body, the Chairman, Hon. Destiny Isiguzo, who is also the Deputy Mayor of Obingwa Local Government Area, said Governor Otti’s performance since assuming office in 2023 has exceeded public expectations and validated the mandate given to him by Abians.
Hon. Isiguzo noted that the Otti administration has delivered visible, people-focused projects across critical sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, civil service reforms, security, trade, and investment, thereby rebuilding public trust in governance.
“From policy direction to healthcare delivery, agriculture, education, trade and commerce, infrastructure, and investment attraction, Governor Alex Otti has demonstrated clear preparedness for leadership,” he said.
He identified the ongoing road revolution across Abia as a defining achievement of the administration, with major reconstruction works taking place simultaneously in Aba, Umuahia, and other parts of the state to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic activity.
“Abians can see the quality and impact of these roads. They are opening up communities, easing transportation, boosting commerce, and restoring the dignity of our people,” Hon. Isiguzo added.
The Forum also commended the Governor for reforms in the civil service, highlighting the prompt payment of salaries, pensions, and gratuities, as well as the recent payment of the 13th-month salary, describing these actions as evidence of a worker-friendly government.
On healthcare, the Deputy Mayors praised the revitalization of primary healthcare centres, the upgrading of general hospitals, and the recruitment of medical personnel to strengthen service delivery across the state. They also applauded investments in education, including the renovation of public schools and reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes.
“As leaders at the grassroots, we hear directly from the people. We have listened to their voices, and the message is clear—Abians want Governor Alex Otti to continue beyond 2027,” Hon. Isiguzo declared.
He dismissed criticisms from opposition figures, describing them as beneficiaries of the old order who are uncomfortable with transparency and accountability.
Also speaking, the Deputy Mayor of Bende Local Government Area, Hon. Mrs. Ngozi Sandra Anya, who represented Abia North Senatorial Zone, praised the Governor’s infrastructural interventions in the zone, particularly the reconstruction of the 46.3-kilometre Umuahia–Akara–Abiriba Road. She said the project has improved access to markets, reduced travel time, and revitalized local economies.
“This road has revived economic activities in our communities. Farmers and traders are benefitting, and the people are feeling the impact of good governance,” she said.
Representing Umuahia Central Zone, the Deputy Mayor of Umuahia South Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Enyinnaya Nwosu, commended the Governor for extensive infrastructural development, environmental renewal, and improved urban planning, assuring him of the zone’s continued support.
The Forum further applauded the Governor’s efforts in strengthening security collaboration across the state and creating a conducive environment for investors and small businesses, particularly in Aba, the commercial hub of the South East.
At the conclusion of the engagement, the Deputy Mayors formally passed a vote of confidence on Governor Alex Otti and unanimously endorsed him for a second term, citing his transparency, fiscal discipline, performance, and people-centred approach to governance. They pledged to mobilize grassroots support ahead of the 2027 General Elections, expressing confidence that continuity would consolidate and expand the gains recorded so far.
