Local Government Chairmen in Abia State have strongly criticised former governors of the state over what they described as a coordinated attempt to undermine Governor Alex Otti, accusing them of being “architects of a failed past” unsettled by the visible progress recorded under the current administration.
The council chairmen, operating under the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Abia State chapter, made their position known during a press conference held on Friday in Umuahia.
Their reaction follows recent comments credited to some former governors who allegedly vowed to stop Governor Otti from securing a second term in office and to “deliver” Abia State to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Reading from a prepared statement, the Mayor of Isuikwuato Local Government Area and Chairman of ALGON in the state, Hon. Chinedu Ekeke, said any political gang-up against Governor Otti would fail, stressing that the governor enjoys overwhelming grassroots support driven by his performance across the state.
Flanked by 16 other council chairmen, Ekeke stated that Otti’s achievements are evident in all 17 local government areas, noting that the administration has shown strong commitment to good governance, fiscal discipline and effective service delivery.
“As custodians of grassroots governance, we are in constant interaction with our communities and can attest to the growing public confidence in the direction of governance and the tangible benefits currently being experienced by our people,” he said.
According to the ALGON chairman, the unease expressed by former governors does not stem from poor governance but from the sharp contrast between the current administration’s performance and the “abysmal records” of past governments.
“Every project executed, every service delivered, and every reform implemented under Governor Otti sets a new standard of governance. That standard has unsettled those whose tenures left Abia with unmet needs and unfulfilled promises,” Ekeke added.
The council chairmen emphasised that leadership in a democracy is determined by performance and the freely expressed will of the electorate through credible elections, not by political threats, declarations or alliances.
They passed a vote of confidence on Governor Otti and challenged his critics to present verifiable facts rather than resorting to what they described as empty threats, blackmail and revisionist narratives.
“Public discourse must be driven by facts, not falsehoods, exaggerations or political propaganda,” the statement read.
The chairmen further warned against attempts to pre-empt the democratic process or undermine what they described as the “visible progress” being recorded in Abia State through speculative political rhetoric.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting policies and programmes aimed at strengthening local governance, deepening institutional development and improving the quality of life of residents across the state.
Responding to questions on local government financial autonomy, Ekeke clarified that councils in Abia State continue to receive their allocations through the Joint Allocation Account (JAAC), adding that ALGON is not aware of any diversion or hijack of council funds by the state government.
Comments