COMMENTARY
“Go to Port Harcourt Road and Say Alex Otti Will Not Be Re-Elected, Then Return Home and We’ll Know You’re Ready” — Abia Premier Mayors Blows Hot, Declare Total Support for Gov. Otti’s 2027 Bid
By @TheKELVINATOR, The Eyes Opener News | February 7, 2026
The Association of Premier Mayors of Abia State, made up of former Local Government Mayors from the 17 Local Government Areas who served under the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, has formally declared their total and unwavering support for the Governor’s re-election in 2027.
The declaration was made during a strategic and high-powered meeting held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Ovu-Nwambuisi, Agbaragwu, in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. The association is led by its Interim Chairman and former Chairman of the Abia State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele, who also served as Premier Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South LGA and is currently a member of the Governing Council of Abia State University (ABSU).
The meeting brought together former Local Government Mayors who played critical roles in laying the early governance foundation of the Otti administration and who are now serving in various strategic capacities across the state. The gathering was convened to reaffirm their loyalty to the Governor and to mobilize a renewed grassroots political structure ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking after the closed-door meeting on behalf of the association, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele described the Premier Mayors as the foundational team that helped establish effective local government administration under Governor Otti.
He explained that upon assumption of office, Governor Otti deliberately selected experienced and seasoned administrators to serve as Premier Mayors in order to reset governance at the grassroots.
According to him, after completing their tenures, the former Mayors resolved to reunite and openly demonstrate their continued loyalty to the Governor, whom he described as the best-performing governor Abia State has ever produced.
Dr. Elele stressed that any political actor emerging from any of the 17 local government areas must first acknowledge the achievements of Governor Otti, insisting that the current administration has set a standard that cannot be matched by the opposition.
He maintained that the transformation witnessed across Abia State within a short period is clear evidence of purposeful leadership, adding that Governor Otti has earned the right to a second term based on performance.
In a strongly worded remark aimed at critics of the administration, Dr. Elele said, “Go to Port Harcourt Road and say Alex Otti will not be re-elected and return home and then we’ll know you’re ready,” referencing major infrastructural projects as proof of the Governor’s achievements.
He noted that each Premier Mayor commands strong grassroots followership in their respective local government areas and that the association intends to activate and harmonize these structures to ensure massive support for Governor Otti’s re-election.
The Interim Chairman also criticized opposition figures, describing them as products of the past 24 years of governance, whom he accused of lacking credibility and concrete alternatives. He warned against allowing such elements to return the state to what he described as an era of decay and mismanagement.
Dr. Elele further called on Abians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration, urging citizens not to mortgage the future of their children by selling their votes.
In a separate interview, the Premier Mayor of Ukwa East LGA and a serving member of the Abia State Local Government Service Commission, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Nwagbara, reaffirmed the collective resolve of the former Mayors to stand solidly behind Governor Otti.
She stated that the meeting marked the third gathering of the Premier Mayors, all of which have consistently ended with a unanimous decision to support Governor Otti. She added that the association plans to tour the 17 local government areas to strengthen their grassroots structures in preparation for 2027.
Dr. Nwagbara noted that pensioners, civil servants, traders, transport operators, and religious groups across the state have continued to express satisfaction with the performance of the current administration.
Those present at the meeting included Hon. Uche Wogu, Premier Mayor of Aba South LGA and now Aba Area Coordinator of the Abia State Harmonized Task Force; Sir Ide John Udeagbala, Premier Mayor of Aba North LGA and current Board Chairman of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA); Dr. Eric Egwuibe, Premier Mayor of Obingwa LGA and Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Planning; Hon. Osinachi Nwaka, Premier Mayor of Ikwuano LGA and Director-General of the Abia State Ministry of Finance Incorporated; and Chief Joe Ezearu, Premier Mayor of Arochukwu LGA and a member of the Abia State Local Government Service Commission.
Others in attendance were Chief David Ogba Onuoha (Bourdex), Premier Mayor of Ohafia LGA; Hon. Chief Emeka Nosike Ihesiaba, Premier Mayor of Ugwunagbo LGA; Air Vice Marshal Chinwendu Onyike (rtd), Premier Mayor of Isuikwuato LGA; Hon. Ndubuisi Ike, Premier Mayor of Umunneochi LGA; Hon. Obike Ejikeme Nnochiri, Premier Mayor of Umuahia South LGA; and Hon. Newman Azu, Premier Mayor of Ukwa West LGA.
The Premier Mayors concluded the meeting by reaffirming their unity, solidarity, and commitment to advancing the developmental vision of Governor Alex Chioma Otti in th
e overall interest of Abia State.