Bende people honour Abia Governor, Alex Otti 

It was a mammoth crowd that gathered on Friday, October 31st, 2025, when the people of Old Bende Division of Abia State clad in their different traditional attires, rolled out the drums and stormed Aba in their numbers for a grand civic reception to honour one of theirs, Dr. Alex Otti, the  state governor.

The venue was the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, the commercial hub of the state, where most of the people settled for their businesses.

The ceremony was organised by the people of Old Bende Progressive Union, a socio-cultural union made up of communities and people from different geographical and administrative blocs.

Indeed, when people talk of “Old Bende division”, they are referring to  people from a number of local government areas, namely Arochukwu, Isuikwuato, Bende, Ohafia, Ikwuano, Umunneochi, Umuahia South, Umuahia North, and Edda Communities in Ebonyi State.

The events of the day was graced by the presence of ‘who-is-who in Abia, cutting across political divides and  businesses.

It featured dances and  special honour and presentation made to the Abia State 2023 Governorship Election Returning Officer, Prof. Nnennaya Oti, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State.

The Award/presentation was in recognition for allowing God to use her in the last battle to liberate Abia State.

Prof. Nnennaya Oti had insisted on declaring Governor Otti as the rightful winner of that election as against the shenanigans of the then PDP-government in power.

Addressing the mammoth crowd, governor Otti made it clear that beyond road infrastructure, he considers good governance as something very important, pointing out that different preliminary works are ongoing in the various Specialist Hospitals across the 3 Zones in the state and would be sustained in the coming months to ensure completion on time.

He insists that it is still early days for Abians as his achievements so far, are just the beginning of great things to come to the state.

“I will like to assure our people that this is still early morning. As of two days ago, we have just done 29 months and there is still a lot of work to be done.

“I have listened to the request of DIG Udah, Chairman of the Old Bende Progressive Union, DIG Azubuko Udah. I have already forwarded that his address to the Commissioner for Works so that we will begin work on them”.

Governor Otti used the opportunity to reiterate that 2027 elections are in the hand of God and warned those boasting about 2027 to stop as no one can predict tomorro

“Those who boast for 2027 elections, I want to advise them to stop boasting. You know why? Because no one is guaranteed of being here in 2027. So, if you want to play God, if you want to speak like God, well, I will leave you in the hands of God.

“All of you were here in 2023. That is how they boasted. Where are they today?”, Gov. Otti stated.

The governor thanked the people of Old Bende for hosting him, and also  saluted them for honouring Prof. Nnennaya Otti, the 2023 INEC Returning Officer for the 2023 general election for the role she played.

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, thanked the people of Old Bende and all Abians for the great support extended to the governor and his government.

In his own address, the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi,  commended Governor Alex Otti for his achievements, especially in the area of infrastructure which has endeared him to the people of the state.

Engr. Umahi used the opportunity to announce, on behalf of President Tinubu, the official hand- over of certain federal roads and projects to Governor Otti for fixing and completion.

The roads include the Umuahia – Ikot-Ekpene road, Umuahia – Onuimo road, Ohafia – Arochukwu road, Omenuko bridge, among others and urged the people to sustain their support  for the Governor.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and the member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Alex Ikwuechegh appreciated the achievements of Governor Otti and disclosed that all the people of Old Bende and Ukwa la Ngwa are in support of the governor’s re-election in 2027.

They encouraged Abians to continue supporting the Government of Dr Alex Otti.

Speaking also, the Chairman of the Old Bende Progressive Union, DIG Azubuko Udah (retd) and a stakeholder from Old Bende, Dr. Chima Desmond Anyaso, gave their words that what the state is witnessing, under the remarkable leadership of Governor Alex Otti is unprecedented and deserve to be celebrated and endorsed for a second term in 2027.

In their goodwill messages, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, Dr. Emeh Okoro and Eze Linus Nto Mbah appreciated the achievements of the governor within a few years in office and assured him of a second term in office.