Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has formally flagged off his re-election campaign, pledging to sustain his administration’s reforms and prevent a return to what he described as the state’s era of irresponsible leadership.
Gatekeepers News reports that Otti made the declaration on Sunday at the Umuahia Township Stadium during a Labour Party campaign rally attended by supporters from the 17 local government areas of the state.
The Governor said Abia had overcome years of poor leadership following his election in 2023, insisting that the state would not return to its previous condition.
“We ended the era of political profiteers. We defied intimidation to liberate Abia and break Abia from the era of siege. Never shall we go back to the era of irresponsibility. Nothing will make us go back to Egypt,” he said.
Recalling alleged political victimisation under previous administrations, Otti vowed that no resident would have their property demolished because of their political affiliation.
“Never again will anyone’s fence be pulled down on account of political choices. I declare Abia free,” he added.
The Governor said his administration required another four years to consolidate its achievements and establish institutional safeguards to sustain transparency and accountability in the state.
He disclosed that the Labour Party’s campaign manifesto for the forthcoming general election was titled The New Abia: From Rescue to Consolidation.
Highlighting his administration’s achievements, Otti said it had completed about 400 road projects covering more than 1,000 kilometres across the state.
He listed the Port Harcourt Road, Oboha Road, Ohanku Road and Arochukwu Road among the projects undertaken by his government.
The Governor also said his administration had employed more than 9,000 teachers, established smart schools across several communities and invested in primary healthcare.
According to him, billions of naira had also been committed to revitalising Abia State University, Uturu, and Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, while efforts were ongoing to revive industries and support small and medium-sized enterprises.
Otti further said his government had invested in agriculture to improve food sufficiency and restore residents’ confidence in the state.
He urged voters to support Labour Party candidates in the forthcoming elections, calling for continued backing to consolidate the administration’s achievements.
The Governor, however, expressed support for political pluralism, extending his best wishes to candidates of other parties.
He directed state officials to make public facilities available to political parties and candidates seeking to use them for campaign activities, provided they paid the required fees and complied with applicable regulations.
Otti also urged his supporters to focus their campaigns on policies, issues and records of performance, warning against political violence and electoral misconduct.
