NEWS
“Dr. Otti’s Administration Has Done So Much for My Local Government Than Any Other Government Since the Creation of Abia State” — Sen. Emma Nwaka Reveals, Backs Gov. Alex Otti for Second Term, Cites Transformational Leadership and Equity Principle
…says “This Is Not the Time for Politics of Identity; It Is the Time for Pragmatism”
A major political realignment appears to be gaining momentum in Abia State as elder statesman, former Senator and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Emma Nwaka, has openly declared support for the second term ambition of Governor Alex Otti.
Senator Nwaka, who currently serves as a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), made the declaration on Thursday, June 4, 2026, during a courtesy visit to Governor Alex Otti, where he commended the Governor’s leadership style, infrastructural revolution and commitment to inclusive governance across Abia State.
The former State Chairman of the PDP and Third Republic lawmaker representing Abia North Senatorial District described Governor Otti’s administration as one that has restored confidence, pride and hope among Abians both at home and in the diaspora. He maintained that his endorsement was based purely on performance, fairness and the need to sustain the current pace of development being witnessed across the State.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Senator Nwaka reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC while stressing that supporting Governor Otti for another four years aligns with the larger interest of Abia State and the equity arrangement guiding the rotation of power among the Senatorial districts.
Reading from a personally prepared statement titled “This Is My Stand,” Senator Nwaka explained that his position was the outcome of a careful evaluation of Governor Otti’s achievements, particularly in infrastructure, governance reforms and economic repositioning.
In his words, “I agree with my party, APC, that Abia Central Senatorial District should retain the governorship of the State come 2027.
“However, I am all for supporting Dr. Alex Otti to do a second term of four years as Governor. By every political metric conceivable, his first term has ushered in a season of unprecedented infrastructural development in every corner of the State.
“What is more, under him, Abians all over the State, Country, and beyond, have regained a sense of pride in their State.
“I believe that another four years of Dr. Alex Otti, OFR as governor would have established Abia State on a trajectory of irreversible economic growth and development.”
The Isiukwuato-born political heavyweight further anchored his position on the Abia Charter of Equity, arguing that allowing Governor Otti complete a second term would preserve the existing rotational understanding and ensure that power eventually returns to Abia North in 2031.
“And come to think about it, at the end of Dr. Otti’s tenure in 2031, power is expected to revert to Abia North, precisely to Isuikwuato/Umunneochi axis. If we deny Dr. Alex Otti a second term and bring in a new-person from Abia Central, it means that Abia North might have to wait for all of twelve years to take over the reins of power.
“Of course, such a scenario runs counter to the letter and spirit of Abia Charter of Equity instituted by our forefathers, which, unfortunately, we have been observing in the breach.
“I therefore urge my party members who have expressed their displeasure over my stand to appreciate where I am coming from,” he stated.
Senator Nwaka also dismissed speculations that his political calculations were tied to any future governorship ambition, insisting that his support for Governor Otti was motivated strictly by the collective interest of the State and the desire to consolidate ongoing development strides.
“For the avoidance of doubt, let me quickly be clear that I have no intention to run for governorship of Abia State in 2031. This statement became necessary to establish the fact that my permutation is altruistic; it is not in any wise actuated by my personal interest,” he said.
Speaking extensively on developments in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, the APC stalwart praised Governor Otti for what he described as unprecedented attention to the area through infrastructural projects and strategic political appointments.
He noted that many communities in the area now feel genuinely included in governance, adding that the current administration has demonstrated capacity, competence and vision in ways previous administrations failed to achieve.
Speaking further he said, “All that aside, as a son of lsuikwuato, I can attest that Dr. Otti’s administration has done so much for my local government than any other government since the creation of Abia State, whether in terms of infrastructural development or appointments.
“If as we say, every politics is local, and it is, I do not see why majority of Isuikwuato sons and daughters should cast off this government that has remembered us at this critical moment.
“This is not the time for politics of identity; it is the time for pragmatism in aligning with vision, competence, capability and capacity, attributes that Dr. Alex Otti possesses. His transformational leadership in piloting the affairs of Abia State is unassailable.”
Beyond the politics of Abia State, Senator Nwaka equally declared his support for the re-election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the President’s economic reforms as bold, courageous and necessary for national recovery.
According to Sen. Nwaka, “At the Federal level, I am working for the re-election of His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR as president. Any person conversant with the almost comatose state of the economy of Nigeria and the inertia that characterized governance prior to his assumption of office will agree that the President deserves a second term, if for nothing else, for having infused life and renewed hope into every ramification of governance.
“I believe that before long, the trickle-down effect of his bold and courageous economic reforms will kick in and shall begin to be felt by the generality of Nigerians.”
The respected political figure concluded by appreciating Abians for their continued support for Governor Otti’s administration and pledged to actively work towards the Governor’s re-election bid in 2027, a development many political observers believe could further reshape the political landscape ahe
ad of the next electoral cycle in Abia State.