Ukwa La Ngwa raise N100m for Gov Otti’s 2027 form, stage mass endorsement in Aba

The Ukwa La Ngwa people of Abia State have raised N100 million to purchase the nomination form for Governor Alex Otti’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 governorship poll, in a show of support witnessed by thousands at a civic reception in Aba.

The donation was announced on Friday at the Enyimba International Stadium during a grand reception organised in honour of the governor, according to a statement on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha.

Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Ukwa La Ngwa Civic Reception and Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, said the funds were contributed collectively by the people, adding that more support would be provided if necessary.

Addressing the crowd, Otti thanked the people for what he described as an overwhelming show of solidarity and endorsement.

“The time we came in here this afternoon, the mammoth crowd was intimidating. I want to thank all of you. Thank you for the endorsement. Thank you for the support. Thank you for the encouragement,” he said.

The governor assured residents that his administration would continue to put the people first, insisting that governance in Abia was no longer driven by self-interest or partisan considerations.

“One thing you can take home is that because this is your government, your interest will always come first. This is not about party or partisan celebration,” Otti said.

He announced that Ovom Road would be commissioned on February 25, the same day reconstruction of the Enyimba Hotel would be flagged off. The five-star facility, he said, would be managed by Radisson Blu.

“Our style is not to flag off and go home. We want the five-star hotel to start functioning by next year,” he added.

Otti also urged Aba residents to register for their Permanent Voter Cards and take responsibility for security and environmental cleanliness in their communities.

“The number of people in Aba is ten times larger than the number of votes that come from Aba. The only way to show your strength is to get people to come out and register,” he said.

Chairman of the occasion and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Adolphus Wabara, described the event as a people-driven verdict on Otti’s performance.

“This is not a political party rally; it is a people’s verdict. It is the collective affirmation of the masses to celebrate a man who has demonstrated that good governance is achievable and real,” Wabara said.

“Let no one be deceived: Abians will never again surrender their mandate to any cabal. Any attempt to subvert the will of the people in 2027 will be firmly resisted.”

Also speaking, the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Darlington Nwokocha, said Otti’s performance across sectors had earned him widespread support.

Earlier, the leader and spokesperson of the Ukwa La Ngwa people, Chief Theo Nkire, described the governor as “a great achiever” who had transformed Aba into “a world-class industrial hub.”

Traditional rulers from the area pledged their support, while the event featured cultural displays and was attended by several dignitaries, including the member representing Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency, Ginger Onwusibe.