Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has expressed strong confidence in securing a second term in office, declaring that the 2027 governorship election will be far smoother for him than previous electoral contests. The governor attributed his confidence to what he described as the visible achievements of his administration since assuming office, noting that his performance would speak louder than campaign promises.
Governor Otti made the remarks while addressing stakeholders and residents at the 2025 Aro Day celebration held in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State. The annual event, which attracts indigenes, traditional leaders, political figures and development partners, provided a platform for the governor to reflect on his administration’s journey so far and respond to growing political conversations ahead of the next election cycle.
According to Otti, unlike the 2023 election when he and his team were largely presenting plans and policy intentions to voters, the situation has now changed significantly. He said his administration has concrete achievements that the people of Abia can see, feel and assess for themselves, making future political engagements less burdensome.
“Just like it happened in 2023, 2027 will even be smoother, I can assure you,” the governor said. “Why am I so confident? I’m confident because in 2023, we were selling promises, but now there are one or two things we can point to. People are seeing what we are doing with their own eyes.”
Governor Otti stressed that his approach to governance has been anchored on delivery rather than rhetoric, adding that he has no intention of embarking on premature campaigns or making fresh promises ahead of the 2027 polls. Instead, he said his focus remains on consolidating ongoing projects and implementing policies that will leave lasting impacts on the state.
He also noted that while political actors and opponents have already begun positioning themselves for the 2027 election, his administration is not distracted by early politicking. According to him, the mandate given to his government by the people of Abia is for four years, and his responsibility is to use that period effectively to improve the lives of citizens.
“2027 is still far away, but a lot of people have started killing themselves before 2027 comes,” Otti remarked. “We are not worried about 2027 because we have a mandate to deliver to our people in four years. We’ve done about 30 months, so we still have a long way to go.”
The governor’s comments come amid increasing political activities across the country as politicians and parties quietly begin to prepare for the next general elections. In Abia State, discussions around continuity, opposition strategies and potential alliances have begun to dominate political discourse, even as the current administration remains midstream in its tenure.
Governor Otti reiterated that his administration’s priority is governance, not politics. He maintained that the success or failure of his government would be determined by how well it addresses critical issues such as infrastructure development, healthcare delivery, education reform, security and economic revitalisation.
He urged Abians to remain focused on development and to judge his administration based on outcomes rather than political noise. According to him, sustained engagement with communities, prudent management of resources and accountability remain the guiding principles of his leadership.
The Aro Day celebration also featured goodwill messages from prominent Nigerians, including the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who took the opportunity to commend Governor Otti for what he described as remarkable achievements within a relatively short period.
In his remarks, the Emir said the transformation taking place in Abia State under Otti’s leadership has attracted attention beyond the state and even outside Nigeria. He noted that the governor’s reforms and development initiatives have resonated with observers who are monitoring governance trends across the country.
“I like to congratulate Dr Otti for all the work he has done in Abia,” Sanusi said. “I’m sure for those of you in Abia, nobody needs to tell you. But you will want to know that even outside Abia and outside Nigeria, everyone has taken note of the great transformation of the last two years.”
The former Central Bank Governor praised Otti’s leadership style and commitment to economic reforms, describing his administration as one that has demonstrated seriousness of purpose and a clear vision for development. He also expressed personal pride in his association with the Abia State government.
“I would like to congratulate Governor Otti for his work and to pray that he will continue to deliver for the people,” Sanusi added. “I’m proud to be a member of his International Economic Advisory Board.”
The endorsement from the Emir of Kano is seen by political observers as a boost to Otti’s growing national profile, particularly as his administration continues to pursue reforms aimed at fiscal discipline, transparency and economic growth.
Since assuming office, Governor Otti has consistently highlighted infrastructure renewal, improved public service delivery and financial accountability as key pillars of his administration. His government has initiated several road projects, undertaken reforms in the health and education sectors and introduced measures aimed at improving the ease of doing business in the state.
While supporters argue that these efforts have begun to reposition Abia State for sustainable growth, critics maintain that more needs to be done, particularly in addressing unemployment and expanding economic opportunities for young people. Nonetheless, Otti remains firm in his belief that sustained delivery will earn him the confidence of voters when the time comes.
As the 2027 elections gradually move into view, Governor Otti’s declaration underscores a broader political strategy anchored on performance rather than early campaign theatrics. Whether this confidence will translate into electoral success remains to be seen, but for now, the Abia State governor appears focused on governance, insisting that the best campaign is tangible results delivered to the people.
