Ahead of the 2027 general election, political tensions are escalating in Abia State as opposition leaders mobilize against Governor Alex Otti’s re-election bid. Key figures, many of whom previously held power in the state, have vowed that Otti will not secure a second term.
Last week, NELSDAILY reported that former Governors Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, alongside other political heavyweights, announced the formation of a coalition aimed at unseating Otti. The alliance, reportedly dubbed “The Team”, is intended to secure all elective positions in the state for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former governors met in Umuahia, outlining plans to challenge Otti’s administration and, notably, threatening legal action over claims that the governor manages the state from his Nvosi country home rather than the Government House.
Senator Kalu defended the coalition, describing it as a platform for experienced leaders seeking to reclaim their political relevance. He rejected criticisms of previous administrations as ineffective, insisting their legacies remain visible.
“Leadership is a relay. I handed over to Senator T.A. Orji, who handed over to Okezie Ikpeazu. No single individual can claim we achieved nothing. If we did nothing, where would our people be today?” Kalu said.
Kalu also accused Otti of merely repainting roads constructed during his tenure, arguing that the governor has underutilized federal allocations. He stated that while he supported Otti’s 2023 election victory, he will now work for the APC in 2027.
Otti’s Team Hits Back
Reacting to the opposition, Governor Otti’s Special Adviser on Policies and Interventions, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru, dismissed the criticisms as baseless. Speaking in Umuahia, he described the opposition’s campaign as an attempt by former leaders—whose own administrations underdeveloped the state—to regain power through President Bola Tinubu’s influence rather than their past achievements.
“Anyone who demands equity must come with clean hands. It is absurd for old political leaders who left the state underdeveloped to challenge the present administration,” Anokwuru said.
Analysts Weigh In
Political analyst Nduka Odo of Peaceland University, Enugu, said the former governors’ alliance is driven more by self-interest than party politics or public welfare. He pointed out that Otti’s government abolished salaries and allowances for former governors and deputies—a benefit still enjoyed in other states—likely motivating the coalition against him.
Civil rights advocate Olu Omotayo of CRRAN echoed this view, emphasizing that Otti’s administration has delivered visible development recognized by the people, contrasting sharply with the largely self-serving policies of past administrations.
Onyebuchi Igboke, convener of the Office of the Citizens, described the opposition as a clash between performance-driven governance and patronage politics, arguing that Otti’s achievements in just over two years surpass the combined 24 years of his predecessors. He further suggested that some former governors’ actions may be motivated by personal political and financial gains.
“The masses are happy with him. His projects are visible. His performance outweighs the combined tenure of Orji Kalu, Theodore Orji, and Okezie Ikpeazu,” Igboke said.
As Abia edges closer to the 2027 elections, the battle lines are clear: a performance-focused administration under Otti versus a coalition of former governors seeking a return to power.
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