INTERVIEW: Otti’s Performance Already Won Him Re-Election – Abia Commissioner

Abia State has witnessed significant political and infrastructural transformation under Governor Alex Otti, with the administration consistently projecting a narrative of renewal, restored trust, and improved service delivery. From road construction and urban renewal to education reforms, healthcare improvements, and civil service restructuring, the government says the “New Abia” agenda is already a reality.
In this interview with Isuma Mark of THE WHISTLER, the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, speaks on the administration’s achievements, political opposition, governance reforms, and why he believes Governor Otti’s performance has already secured him a return to office in 2027.

Excerpts

How would you describe the state of Abia when Governor Alex Otti assumed office, and what has changed since then?

A lot has changed from where Dr. Oti took over the reins of power in Abia State. When we came in, the state was in a total state of disrepair in terms of infrastructure. There was no trust in the governance process. There was a whole lot of discontent amongst the people, and these are the issues that His Excellency Dr. Alex Oti, over the past years, has been able to address.

Today, he has restored hope in Abians. He has restored the dignity of Abians. When people are asked where they come from, a lot of people will not want to say they come from Abia; they would just say they are from the South East. But I can tell you today, you need to verify this, when you ask people and I say I am from Abia State, there is pride. He has restored pride in Abians.

We met a state where people had lost trust in governance, but today, despite what communication experts will tell you about distrust between government and the people globally, I can tell you in Abia, the trust level is significantly higher. People believe in what the government is doing because the things being done are very visible.

This government is people-centred. That has helped build trust, and that trust is what propels people to support the governance process. So if you say you want to do a particular thing, by the time you finish talking, the people key in and support it.

Restoring pride in Abians, restoring hope that they can dream again, and restoring dignity that they belong and can be reckoned with is very important.

Has the “New Abia” narrative been achieved under this administration?

On infrastructure, quite a lot has changed in Abia State in terms of massive transformation. Today there is a cliche called building the new Abia. I can confidently tell you that cliche has been realised.
We have a government that focuses on the people, making them comfortable. Everywhere you go, people are talking about Abia State and Dr. Otti. Roads, hospitals, public buildings, markets, every aspect of infrastructure is in place.
Abians are proud to talk about the new Abia. Beyond infrastructure, there is also soft infrastructure. They now know they have a government that is transparent, accountable, and people-focused.

Is the governor’s growing public visibility and support in the streets a reflection of genuine popularity?

It is organic support, and it is based on trust. It is based on what people see. It is reciprocal.
If you walk into a place and see a little baby and you scare the baby away, the next time that baby sees you, it will run away. But if the first time you meet that baby you hug it and carry it, the next time it sees you, it will run to you.
What Dr. Otti has done is restore hope and dignity in Abians. He is getting organic support everywhere he goes because people now see a government that is honest, transparent, and accountable.
It is a two-way thing. If you give love, you get it back. If you perform in office, the people will respond. That is what is happening in Abia State.

How bad was the state of infrastructure when this administration came in, and what has changed since then?

In the past, the state was in a total state of disrepair. You could not pass through Aba, and the same applied to other areas. But within a short time, things began to change, and people started asking questions about how it was possible.
Some stakeholders said the government was getting more funds from the federal government, but even with that, what matters is what is being done with the funds. The funds are being ploughed back into the local economy through infrastructural development. Roads are being rebuilt, and at night people can move freely because of solar lighting systems installed along roads. People began to see a new Abia. Within a short time, some donors even supported the government anonymously because they saw results. Abia is now one of the cleanest states, and that is a consistent standard over the past years.
The governor has installed governance standards that are difficult to match, and people respond to that. People now show appreciation in different ways because they are feeling the impact of governance for the first time in a long while.

Your administration set up a judicial panel to investigate past administrations. What is the status of that process?

The governor set up a judicial panel to look through the records of the previous administration. When we came in, we started from ground below zero; there was nothing in place. The panel has worked on recovering assets and is expected to issue a white paper that will be implemented. A forensic audit was also conducted on specific projects.
The governor’s position is not to be distracted by the past but to focus on rebuilding the state. Some recovered assets include lands and buildings illegally acquired and used as schools or commercial properties. These have been recovered and returned to schools rather than demolished. The governor believes in due process and the rule of law. If prosecution is necessary, it will happen.

What is the government doing with the Aba development policy, and how far has it gone?

Aba was highly dilapidated when the administration came in. Roads were impassable and businesses were shut down. The governor came prepared and had engaged consultants even before assuming office. That is why key projects like Port Harcourt Road were initiated early. A development authority was established to drive planning and infrastructure. Port Harcourt Road, abandoned for decades, is now being rebuilt, and several other roads have been reconstructed or constructed. Flood control systems are being implemented, and drainage systems are being improved. Electricity has been restored in collaboration with private sector partners, leading to improved power supply.
Aba is now witnessing revived commercial activity. Businesses are returning, and new investments are coming in. A ring road project is also being developed to improve traffic flow and support expansion. Markets are being revived, and the local economy is growing again.

What has the government done to improve education in Abia State?

The governor prioritised education and allocated a significant portion of the budget to the sector. A state of emergency was declared in key sectors including education. Investment has been made in infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum development. Over two hundred schools have been revived, and smart schools are being built.
Education is now free at primary and junior secondary levels, leading to increased enrolment. More teachers have been recruited, and salaries are now paid regularly. Teachers receive training and incentives, including rural posting allowances. Retirement age for teachers has been increased, and working conditions improved.
At the tertiary level, institutions have been upgraded, infrastructure improved, and accreditation restored across universities and colleges.

How has the governor managed political opposition ahead of 2027 elections?

The governor just has one answer to all this, to continue to do what he’s doing right, regardless of what these guys are saying. Abians are very discerning people. Nigerians at large are discerning people. Forget when they say Nigerians don’t vote well. When they want to vote, sometimes they are carried away by primordial considerations. Our people are smart. Abians are smart people. They know who means well for them, and they know those who have been there before and did not take their interest to heart.
So when these things happen, the governor regards them as sheer political noise. And I can assure you that the governor believes that once elections are over, governance takes place. That is the reason when Benjamin Kalu was Deputy Speaker after he was elected, the governor organized a reception for him. He saw him as a son of Abia and not as somebody who is in the APC. So as far as the governor is concerned, he is a father to all. Ditto for Governor Orji Uzor Kalu. The governor has paid a visit to him.
What you see these guys do is just politics, and it is understandable. They are in the APC, so they need to say things that will enhance their political relevance. The governor is not blind to what they are doing in terms of the noise we get. The governor will always tell you they are free to do what they want, provided they do not disturb the peace of the state. The government will continue to perform for the people, and it is the people at the end of the day, who will go to the polls and determine what happens, not the noise that big people make.
The governor has no time for distractions. If you know Dr. Otti very well, he is such a wonderful person, given to due process and the rule of law. He will even tell his aides not to make enemies for him because he does not want to inherit their enemies. He is like a friend to all, and he keeps emphasizing that he is governor of everybody, irrespective of party.
If something happens in Abia, whether someone is lost or any incident occurs, Dr. Otti will come to commiserate, attend the burial, or whatever is appropriate. He sees everybody as an Abian, not as a member of a political party. That has helped him. When you do these things, people take notice. Forget the noise, people take notice and say this governor is not like others. He is not after anybody. He is focused on the job, and his performance is speaking for him.

Will the governor support Labour Party candidates in the elections, or concede to opposition figures in the state?

Why won’t he? That is his party. He is the leader of the party today. As leader of the party, it is incumbent on him to ensure that all Labour Party candidates win elections. With his performance already, most of our candidates are already significantly ahead because what the governor is doing is speaking for them.

Is the governor getting adequate support from the federal government?

Yes, I think so. The governor has a very cordial relationship with the President. About two weeks ago, the Renewed Hope Media team came on a tour of federal government projects in Abia State and Abia State government projects, led by Chief Bayo Onanuga and Chief Sunday Dare. It was a very cordial atmosphere. We took them to federal project sites and our own projects. They were very happy with what they saw.
If we did not have that relationship, such a visit would not have taken place. There has been no incident to suggest otherwise. Many people thought the governor would join the APC, but he stayed the course. He is doing his job for Abians and Nigerians. Even the President, who is the leader of the APC, is happy with the governor because of the projects he has invited him to commission and has publicly praised him.

What is the relationship between Governor Otti and Peter Obi following recent political developments?

The relationship between the governor and Peter Obi remains cordial. There has been no reason for conflict. These are two exceptional Igbo sons. Peter Obi is now active at the national level, while Governor Otti is focused on transforming Abia State. Today there is a Labour Party wave in Abia. Peter Obi has moved on nationally, while Governor Otti continues his work in the state. They operate at different political levels.

How would you describe Governor Alex Otti’s personality and leadership style?

Dr. Alex Otti is a man of honour. He is a brilliant man, a first-class economist, and was valedictorian at the University of Port Harcourt. Beyond brilliance, he is a man of integrity, due process, and fairness. Nothing is done under the table. His transparency and accountability are exceptional.
He is compassionate, steady, and courageous. He believes in giving back to society. Before becoming governor, he was a bank Managing Director, so he understands wealth and service. When he decided to run for office, people discouraged him, but he insisted he wanted to turn Abia around.
That sincerity is what people have seen. He is consistent in what he says. He is also very compassionate. Through his foundation, he has given scholarships for many years. He built a library at Babcock University in honour of his father. He is a quiet philanthropist. He helps churches and communities without seeking attention. Even his project commissions are not turned into media events because he believes in prudence. He does not waste public resources. He prefers that the work speaks for itself.

What happens during State Executive Council meetings, and how are projects conceived?

It is a harvest of ideas and debates. The governor is very brilliant and knowledgeable. If you are not careful, you may feel intimidated because of how much he knows. But he always encourages open discussion.
We bring ideas, debate them, and if an argument is superior, he adopts it. He does not impose his views. That is part of why the state is doing well. He believes that any idea that is good, regardless of field, should be accepted. He is always willing to learn.

What is the outlook for the 2027 elections? Is the governor confident of victory?

Abians will reward the governor for what he has done. It will be a payback election because people have seen real change in just a few years. The new Abia is real. People are seeing improvements in behaviour and civic responsibility. The transformation is ongoing.
There are many projects across the state, including transport terminals, roads, schools, and healthcare facilities. Hundreds of roads have been completed, and many more are ongoing. Primary health centres have been renovated and equipped.
Empowerment is focused on skills rather than giving out vehicles. There is a tech programme where participants are trained and given laptops. Some outstanding participants have been given automatic employment.
Salaries and pensions are now being paid regularly. Debts have been significantly reduced. The civil service is being reformed, with training now a regular feature after many years. The governor’s popularity comes from these results.
It is difficult to summarize everything in a short time because what is happening in Abia is extensive. It is like trying to hit a moving target. Very soon there will be more commissioning of roads, schools, and public projects.