In what has been described as a major political shift in Abia State, several high-profile opposition politicians have formally joined the ruling Labour Party, citing the exceptional performance of Governor Alex Otti as their primary motivation. The event, which held at Isuikwuato High School, drew a massive crowd and served as both a political rally and a platform to unveil significant developmental initiatives by the Otti-led administration.
Among the prominent figures who decamped were Hon. Lucky Johnson, the current representative of Isuikwuato State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly; his predecessor, Hon. Chukwudi Ogele; the 2023 governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Onyekwere Akim Uche; a former Commissioner for Sports, Henry Agbaeze; and notable political leader, Emma Ibegbulam. They all openly declared their decision to align with Governor Otti’s vision for a new Abia, attributing their move to what they described as “visible and verifiable progress across sectors” under his leadership.
Addressing the cheering crowd, Governor Alex Otti commended the defectors for their boldness in identifying with what he termed “the light of good governance.” He emphasized that his administration was on a mission to permanently change the narrative of Abia, moving the state away from its history of underdevelopment. “We came prepared to bring transformation, and today, the results are speaking for themselves. Abia will never be used as a benchmark for backwardness again,” Otti declared.
The governor took the opportunity to announce the approval of an independent power project at the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu. He explained that the plant, which is expected to generate no less than 10 megawatts of electricity, would not only power the university but also supply electricity to the surrounding Uturu community. He stated that the initiative is a product of the newly signed Abia State Electricity Law, which allows the state government to establish and regulate its own power generation and distribution systems without federal bottlenecks.
“This project is part of the holistic rehabilitation of ABSU. We are not just lighting up the university but also energizing Uturu. This is the new Abia, and our people deserve reliable power,” Governor Otti said.
He further assured that road infrastructure in the region was receiving due attention. Projects like the Eziama–Ndundu Road are set for imminent commencement, while the Amibo–Acha Road, already captured in the current budget, will soon undergo rehabilitation. He reaffirmed that his government’s focus remains centered on equitable development across all parts of the state.
Speaking during the event, Hon. Amobi Ogah, the federal representative for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi constituency, applauded the governor’s impactful governance. He described Otti as a beacon of progress whose tenure has delivered meaningful dividends of democracy to Isuikwuato. He pledged continued support from his constituents to ensure the sustainability of these gains.
Also lending his voice, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, praised Otti for his visionary leadership. He called on all well-meaning Abians to rally behind the governor as the 2027 election approaches, noting that his performance so far had already earned him a second term in the hearts of many.
Hon. Lucky Johnson, now a member of the Labour Party, declared that with the influx of political stakeholders into the party from across Isuikwuato, all other political structures in the region had effectively collapsed into the Labour Party. He affirmed that come 2027, the governorship election in Abia would be decisively determined by Isuikwuato in favour of Governor Otti.
Other top government officials, including the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna; the Mayor of Isuikwuato, Chinedu Ekeke; and the Chairman of the Abia State House of Assembly Commission, Uche Maduako, enumerated the administration’s strides in health, education, road networks, and consistent payment of salaries and pensions. They expressed optimism that the governor’s record within two years of governance had already laid the foundation for his re-election.
Dr. Onyinyechi Rufus-Obi, a member of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority, expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for prioritizing the independent power project, which she described as a strategic move that would uplift both ABSU and the larger Uturu community.
Isuikwuato stakeholders including legal luminary, Mr. Ken Ahia, President-General of the Isuikwuato Development Union, Chief Chidiebere Uguru, and President-General of the Uturu Development Union, Dr. Chidi Mba, all declared their full support for Governor Otti’s administration. They affirmed that the governor had already earned their loyalty through his track record and impactful policies, even before awarding major road projects like the ongoing reconstruction of the Nuanya road.
Governor Otti’s reception in Isuikwuato, marked by mass defections and rousing support, signals not just a shift in the local political landscape, but also underscores the growing confidence in his administration’s ability to deliver real change. As Abia moves steadily towards the next election cycle, the political tides seem firmly in favour of continuity under Otti’s leadership.
