Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has formally flagged off the Labour Party’s 2027 governorship campaign, calling on Abians to renew his mandate for another four years to consolidate the achievements of his administration and sustain the development of the state.

Otti made the appeal at the Umuahia Township Stadium during the formal flag-off of the Labour Party’s governorship campaign, alongside his running mate, Engineer Ikechukwu Emetu.

Addressing party faithful and supporters, the Governor described the 2027 election as a defining moment in Abia’s political journey, stressing that the state had moved from years of governance challenges to a new phase of restoration, institutional reforms and development.

He said the administration’s next phase would focus on consolidating existing achievements, institutionalising excellence, accountability and professionalism in public service, as well as positioning Abia for emerging economic opportunities.

Highlighting his administration’s scorecard, Otti disclosed that over 400 road projects covering more than 1,000 kilometres had been completed, while 82 projects spanning over 200 kilometres were ongoing.

He cited the reconstruction of previously abandoned roads, including Port Harcourt Road, Aba, Obohia and Ohanku roads, as well as major projects across the state’s three senatorial districts, as evidence of his government’s commitment to inclusive development.

The Governor also listed interventions in healthcare, education, security, urban renewal, power, agriculture, industrial development, digital economy and youth empowerment among the administration’s achievements.

On education, he disclosed that more than 9,000 teachers had been recruited into public primary and secondary schools, alongside investments in smart schools and the rehabilitation of existing educational facilities.

Otti said his administration had also strengthened healthcare delivery, improved public transportation, supported small and medium-scale enterprises and expanded opportunities for women and vulnerable groups.

He urged Labour Party supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the February 6, 2027 governorship election, insisting that electoral victory would depend on collective commitment and effective participation at polling units.

He further called for the election of Labour Party candidates into the three senatorial seats, eight House of Representatives positions and 24 State Constituencies, describing the forthcoming election as an opportunity to consolidate development across all levels of governance.

In a notable message to opposition parties, the Governor congratulated candidates who emerged through their respective party selection processes and assured them of a level playing field.

He reiterated that opposition parties would not be denied access to public facilities for legitimate campaign activities, provided they obtained the necessary approvals. He also warned against political intimidation, obstruction of lawful campaigns and destruction of campaign materials.

Otti, however, challenged opposition candidates to focus their campaigns on manifestoes, policies and development alternatives rather than personal attacks, arguing that Abia’s political discourse had moved beyond the traditional campaign promises of salary payments, pension settlements and road construction.

He maintained that his administration’s performance had repositioned the state in citizens’ satisfaction, education, healthcare preparedness and fiscal governance assessments.

Recalling the 12-year journey of the political movement, the Governor paid tribute to departed members whose sacrifices and commitment contributed to the emergence of the New Abia project, describing their memories as enduring reminders of service, resilience and collective responsibility.

He called on supporters to take the campaign to every community and household, urging Abians to participate actively in the electoral process.

The Governor expressed confidence that, with the support of the electorate, he and his deputy would secure another four-year mandate to deepen reforms, strengthen public institutions and sustain the development trajectory of Abia State.

Ahead of the 2027 governorship election, political stakeholders backing Governor Alex Otti have intensified mobilisation across Abia, with the Abia North Alliance for Good Governance and the Nsulu Labour Party Stakeholders Forum separately unveiling strategies to secure his re-election and sustain the administration’s development agenda.

At a meeting in Ugwueke, Bende Local Government Area, the Abia North stakeholders reaffirmed their support for Otti, saying they would strengthen grassroots voter education and mobilisation ahead of the election. The meeting followed an earlier gathering in Abiriba where the group first declared its support for the Governor.

Presenting the group’s communique, its Secretary and Spokesperson, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, said members considered the present administration a model of good governance and resolved to work for continuity beyond 2027.

He said the Alliance would focus particularly on voter education at the grassroots and among less-literate voters, while encouraging youths to participate responsibly in the electoral process.
Former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, said stakeholders had political structures that would be deployed to the grassroots to mobilise support for the Governor.

Former FBN Holdings Group Managing Director, Elder Urum Kalu Eke, also expressed support for the administration’s record, citing Governor Otti’s background in the private sector.
The convener of the Alliance, Chief Ebueme Ezikpe, and the host, Sir Johnson Chukwu, said the group was not a political party or a platform for government contractors, but a coalition of opinion leaders seeking continuity in what they described as good governance.

Meanwhile, the Nsulu Stakeholders Forum of the Labour Party has also commenced preparations for the 2027 election, with its apex leader and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, urging members to strengthen their structures at the ward and polling-unit levels.
At a strategic virtual meeting, Ajagba charged the 69-member forum to remain united, law-abiding and focused on grassroots mobilisation, voter education and support for the Governor and other Labour Party candidates. A similar Nsulu Labour Party stakeholders’ summit earlier in September also emphasised unity, grassroots mobilisation and participation in the 2027 election.

The forum subsequently constituted committees on Empowerment, Voter Education/Sensitisation, Mobilisation and Security, while adopting a three-month programme running from September to November.
Chairman of the Nsulu Stakeholders Forum, Dr. Chris Ugwumadu, urged members to justify the confidence reposed in them by providing effective leadership in their respective communities.
Contributing, Dr. Charles Ogugbuaja commended the organisation of the Labour Party stakeholders in Nsulu and called for increased grassroots communication on the administration’s projects and programmes.
The two engagements underscore the growing political activity among groups supporting Governor Otti as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 governorship election.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Abia State in the 2027 election, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has unveiled a welfarist governance agenda, promising to prioritise the welfare of citizens, create jobs, attract investment and reduce the economic burden on the people if elected.
Anosike made the remarks on Thursday, September 3, 2026, while addressing members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, on the topic, “Relationship Between the Media, Government and the People.”

The PDP candidate said the media had a crucial role to play in promoting democratic accountability, stressing that journalists should not merely serve as a “megaphone” for government but should act as a “microscope” through which government policies and programmes could be scrutinised in the interest of the people.
the government, media and citizens must work together to ensure that governance remains centred on the welfare and development of the people.

Anosike criticised what he described as excessive taxation of low-income earners, citing the daily levies imposed on truck and wheelbarrow pushers in Aba.
He questioned the rationale behind collecting daily tickets from people who, according to him, struggle to earn enough to support themselves and their families.

“For me, that’s wickedness,” he said, arguing that increasing Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) should not be achieved by placing additional financial burdens on the poorest members of society.
He also criticised what he described as high charges for land registry inquiries, saying that such measures could discourage investment and economic activity in the state.
Anosike maintained that the way to increase Abia’ IGR was to open up the state to investment, create a productive economy and attract local and foreign investors.

He argued that awarding road contracts alone should not be regarded as the totality of governance, stressing that government must create an environment where industries, businesses and employment opportunities can thrive.
“What’s governance is to open up your state for investment. Attract serious foreign direct investment in your state. Build factories, productive economies. That’s governance,” he said.

The PDP candidate said Abia could improve its revenue base by encouraging industries and businesses to establish operations in the state, rather than relying heavily on taxes and levies imposed on individuals.

He also expressed concern over youth unemployment and the migration of young people from Abia to cities such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt in search of opportunities.
To address the challenge, Anosike proposed the establishment of the Abia State Labour and Global Opportunities Agency (ALGOA), which he said would equip young people with modern skills and enable them to compete for jobs in the global digital economy.

He noted that many jobs could now be performed virtually, allowing young people to live and work from different parts of Abia while serving companies and clients in other parts of Nigeria and abroad.

He also proposed the establishment of an Abia State Rural Development Agency (ARDA) to promote development across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas.
development should not be concentrated in Aba and Umuahia, but should extend to communities and local government areas across the state.
“Abia is not only Aba and Umuahia. Abia is bigger than Aba and Umuahia. All the LGAs should be functional,” he said.

Anosike further promised to establish functional primary healthcare facilities across the 17 local government areas, equipped with laboratories and other necessary diagnostic facilities.
He said such investments would not only improve healthcare delivery but also create employment opportunities and encourage residents to remain in their communities rather than migrate to urban centres.

Responding to a question from a journalist on how his proposed welfarist government would differ from previous PDP administrations in the state, particularly concerning salaries, pensions and workers’ welfare, Anosike said his administration would operate with what he described as a “new mindset, new focus and new direction.”

He acknowledged concerns over the performance of previous administrations but argued that the financial challenges experienced by many states before 2023 were partly linked to the country’s wider economic situation.
the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu significantly increased revenues accruing to states but also transferred a substantial economic burden to citizens through higher transportation and living costs.

Anosike argued that governments should therefore channel part of the increased revenue into social protection and welfare programmes to cushion the effects of rising costs on citizens.
He said his proposed administration would introduce subsidies and other interventions in critical sectors, particularly healthcare.
Among his proposals, he said, was a health insurance programme under which government would absorb a substantial portion of medical expenses for citizens.
“We are trying to create subsidy in health insurance. We now said we’ll introduce health insurance and set up trust hospitals where citizens only pay 40 per cent medical bill, government absorbs 60 per cent,” he said.

Anosike also promised to pay a minimum wage of N90,000 to the least-paid worker in the state if elected, saying the policy would apply across the workforce.
He said his administration would prioritise workers’ welfare and ensure that government employment policies complied with established rules and regulations.

The PDP candidate also promised to review the cases of workers he alleged were prematurely dismissed from the Abia State public service.
who were dismissed before attaining the statutory retirement age or required years of service would be considered for recall, subject to the applicable rules.

According to him, workers who would have attained retirement age by 2027 would instead be considered for payment of outstanding salaries where applicable.
He described the principle behind the proposed policy as “People First, Abia Always,” stressing that government should serve and protect the interests of citizens while also respecting established laws and procedures.

In the education sector, Anosike said his administration would seek to ensure that graduates leave school with both academic qualifications and practical skills.

He also proposed the establishment of an Abia State Traders Microfinance Bank to provide soft loans, grants and other financial facilities to small and medium-sized businesses.
He said the proposed financial institution would provide support to traders and entrepreneurs through what he described as collateral-free and interest-free financing arrangements.

Anosike added that his administration would promote cooperative economics as another means of empowering citizens, supporting small businesses and expanding economic opportunities across the state. overall objective of his proposed administration would be to build an economy driven by investment, entrepreneurship, skills development and productive employment rather than excessive taxation.

He called on the media to continue to hold government accountable while also informing citizens about policies capable of improving their lives.
Anosike reiterated that his proposed administration would place the people at the centre of governance, insisting that economic development must ultimately translate into better living conditions and greater opportunities for the people of Abia State.

From :Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu
FIC Umuahia.
4th September 2026.