As preparations for the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum, a former Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abia State, Chief Emeka Okafor, has cautioned Abians against money politics, urging voters to resist inducements and vote according to conscience.
Speaking on governance and the future of Abia State, Okafor said the electorate holds the real power in a democracy and must use it wisely. According to him, selling votes undermines development and drags the state backwards.
He commended Governor Alex Otti for what he described as visible progress in the state, noting that Abia has experienced a facelift under the current administration.
Okafor disclosed that the Governor has boosted the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and recorded successes in key areas, while stressing that Abians are still expecting more.
“The Governor has done well in certain areas, but he must do more. We are receiving high allocations, and the IGR is improving. Abians should encourage him to be courageous and continue working hard to change things,” he said.
Reacting to criticisms by opposition figures who claimed the Governor is only “painting roads,” Okafor dismissed the narrative, arguing that if past leaders had done even a fraction of what the current administration is doing, Abia would today be competing favourably with states like Enugu, Lagos, and even Abuja.
On infrastructure, he acknowledged the presence of visible projects across the state but urged the government to pay stronger attention to the economy, noting that many businesses are struggling and some are relocating due to harsh conditions.
Okafor also lamented the decline of once-thriving industries such as Modern Ceramics and Golden Guinea Breweries, which previously employed thousands of workers, stressing that the need to revive the private sector to reduce over dependence on government jobs.
Sharing a personal experience, he decried the difficulties faced by business owners, recounting how he was defrauded while trying to acquire land for a business venture. He added that such challenges discourage private investment and must be addressed.
He further called for the expansion of Umuahia metropolitan area, urging the government to open up the capital city by incorporating areas around Isialangwa North Local Government into the city centre to accommodate growth.
Looking ahead to 2027, the former IPAC chairman urged Abians not to be afraid of electoral manipulation, insisting that massive voter turnout would make rigging impossible.
“If you vote massively, nobody can rig the election. Don’t be scared. Let us think wisely. We should not go back to where we are coming from”, he said.
Okafor emphasized that Abia has made progress and must sustain it, calling on voters to reject vote-buying and opt for the best candidates. He also referenced national leadership debates, citing figures like Peter Obi as examples of leaders many believe have the ideals to reposition the country.
He further appealed to Nigerians to do what is right at the polls, insisting that democracy thrives only when citizens refuse to sell their votes and take responsibility for choosing their leaders.
“Don’t sell your vote. Choose wisely. The future of Abia and Nigeria depends on it”, he added.
