COMMENTARY
Abia Traditional Rulers’ Chairman, Eze Nto Slams Orji Uzor Kalu Over Attacks on Gov Otti, Declares 2027 Plot ‘Dead on Arrival’
The Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Dr. Linus Nto Mbah (LINTO), has strongly condemned what he described as recent outbursts and verbal attacks against Governor Alex Otti by former Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK).
Eze Linus Nto Mbah reacted to public statements credited to Senator Kalu as well as an alleged conspiracy meeting of a group of Abia politicians convened by OUK in Umuahia, the country home of former Governor, Senator Theodore Orji. According to the revered monarch, the alleged plot to unseat Governor Alex Otti in the 2027 general election is “dead on arrival.”
The traditional ruler maintained that the 2027 election would be a walkover for Governor Otti, considering his performance so far in office. He argued that any attempt to stop the re-election of the Governor amounts to a plot to terminate the ongoing transformation in Abia State under what he described as the focused and people-oriented leadership of Governor Alex Otti, insisting that such a plot would not stand.
According to Eze Dr. Linus Nto Mbah, Abians are comfortable and satisfied with Governor Otti’s leadership style and his transformative agenda, noting that the general mood across the state shows that the people are already poised to ensure his re-election in 2027.
He further stated that Governor Otti would enjoy overwhelming support from pensioners whose lives, he said, have been rejuvenated under the present administration. He also noted that workers in agencies and parastatals such as the Hospital Management Board (HMB), Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Abia State College of Education Technical, Arochukwu (ASCETA), local government areas, and teachers—who, according to him, had lost count of salary arrears owed by past administrations—are now paid their salaries on or before the 28th of every month.
Eze Mbah said Governor Otti has fundamentally changed the face of Abia State, restoring hope, dignity, and prosperity to the people through people-centered policies and purposeful governance.
According to him, within just over two years and a few months in office, Governor Otti has proven beyond reasonable doubt that Abians made the right choice in 2023. He said the Governor has recorded remarkable achievements in road infrastructure, waste management, healthcare delivery, education, security, workers’ welfare, electricity supply, and other critical sectors.
The traditional ruler particularly highlighted the reconstruction of the Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Alayi–Abiriba road leading to Igbere, the hometown of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, describing the project as a complete reconstruction rather than a cosmetic intervention. He expressed surprise that Senator Kalu could claim that Governor Otti was merely repainting roads.
Eze Nto Mbah also listed other major road projects in Abia North, including the iconic Omenuko Bridge, the Ndiokereke–Abam–Amuvi–Arochukwu road, and the Ohafia–Ihechiowa–Ututu–Arochukwu road. He noted that these projects had been abandoned for many years, even during Orji Uzor Kalu’s tenure as governor, and described Governor Otti’s leadership in Abia State as unparalleled.
Cautioning politicians against any attempt to reverse the progress being made in the state, Eze Mbah warned against what he described as efforts to return Abia State “to Egypt,” stressing that Abia has been liberated under Governor Otti’s administration.
“We Abians will not fold our hands and watch a reversal of the ongoing massive road infrastructure, revolution in education, healthcare, public service reforms, environment management and urban renewal, industrialisation, modern transportation systems, security among others.
“Abians will resist every attempt to return Abia to Egypt. His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, CHIOMA NDI ABIA has fixed everywhere.
“Go to Aba and see what Governor Otti did in Port Harcourt road and other roads in Aba, the Enyimba City. Look at how Umuahia has been the real state capital that it is supposed to be.
“Take a look at the newly introduced electric buses and the economy-boosting project like Umuahia Central Bus Terminal. You will know that Dr Otti is an intentional Governor.
“Do they want to take us back to the days of owing salaries and pensions, time of infrastructural decay and and abandonment of our healthcare and education system? It will not work,” Eze Mbah stated.
He concluded by urging all Abians to remain focused and to sustain their support for Governor Alex Otti, noting that the Governor has continued to live up to expectations and deliver on the mandate freely given to him by the people.