As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, Abia State is witnessing renewed political tension following the emergence of a coalition of former governors and political heavyweights determined to block Governor Alex Otti’s re-election bid.
Several opposition figures who once held power in the state have openly declared that Otti will not return for a second term. In recent weeks, the group has intensified consultations, political meetings and public criticisms aimed at discrediting the current administration.
Former Abia governors, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, alongside other senior politicians, recently announced the formation of a political alliance to challenge Otti in 2027. The group, operating under a platform they call “The Team,” says its objective is to reclaim Abia State for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and secure all elective positions in the next election cycle.
The alliance, unveiled after a meeting in Umuahia, also hinted at plans to initiate legal action against Governor Otti, accusing him of allegedly running the state from his private residence in Nvosi rather than the Government House in Umuahia.
Kalu described the coalition as a gathering of experienced leaders seeking to reassert their relevance in Abia politics. He rejected claims that previous administrations failed the state, insisting their legacies remain visible.
“Leadership is a relay,” Kalu said. “I handed over to Theodore Orji, who handed over to Okezie Ikpeazu. Nobody can claim we achieved nothing.”
“Otti Is Only Repainting Roads” – Kalu
The former governor also accused Otti of underperforming despite increased federal allocations, claiming the current administration is merely rehabilitating roads constructed during his tenure between 1999 and 2007.
Kalu said he would not support Otti’s re-election in 2027, despite backing him during the 2023 governorship election.
“The money Otti receives in four months is what I received in eight years,” Kalu claimed, adding that he has not seen major new road projects under the current government.
Otti Camp Fires Back
Reacting to the growing criticism, Governor Otti’s Special Adviser on Policies and Interventions, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru, dismissed the opposition’s moves as empty threats.
Speaking in Umuahia, Anokwuru accused the former leaders of name-dropping President Bola Tinubu and relying on past influence rather than defending their own records in office.
He said it was ironic for politicians accused of presiding over years of underdevelopment to now challenge an administration focused on reforms and accountability.
Analysts: It’s About Interests, Not Performance
Political analysts say the regrouping of former governors is driven more by self-interest than genuine concern for Abia’s development.
Public affairs analyst Nduka Odo noted that Otti’s emergence disrupted a long-standing political succession pattern in the state. According to him, the decision of the current administration to abolish salaries and allowances for former governors and their deputies may have triggered resistance from past leaders.
“What we are seeing is the protection of entrenched interests,” Odo said. “Otti came in without the backing of his predecessor and cut off privileges many ex-governors enjoyed. That alone explains the hostility.”
Civil Society Groups Defend Otti
Civil society organisations have also weighed in, dismissing the criticism from former governors as politically motivated.
President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), Olu Omotayo, said Otti’s performance is evident in infrastructure renewal and governance reforms acknowledged by ordinary citizens.
“Development doesn’t need propaganda,” Omotayo said. “It is the people who testify. And Abians are saying they can see the difference.”
Similarly, Onyebuchi Igboke, Convener of the Office of the Citizens, described the unfolding battle as a clash between performance-based leadership and patronage politics.
“Otti’s achievements in just over two years outweigh what some of these former governors did in over two decades,” Igboke argued, adding that attempts to discredit the governor are unlikely to succeed.
Looking Ahead
With political lines hardening ahead of 2027, Abia State appears set for a fiercely contested election. While former power brokers are mobilising to reclaim influence, observers note that Governor Otti’s strongest defence may lie in public perception of his performance and the electorate’s willingness to prioritise governance over old political loyalties.
