The Abia State Coordinator of Abia Arise, Hon Nkem Okoro, has disclosed that the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, has fulfilled approximately 90% of his campaign promises within two years in office.
Recall that Gov Otti had promised a transformational agenda during the 2023 electioneering campaign, vowing to change Abia from the old Abia to a new Abia through significant infrastructural and social reforms.
In an interview with National Ambassador Newspaper, Hon Okoro stated that the Governor’s performance demonstrated his readiness for governance from the outset, highlighting several developmental strides achieved by his administration, including the reconstruction of Port Harcourt road, improvement of critical road infrastructure across the state, the rollout of free education from primary to junior secondary schools, retrofitting of public schools, advancements in healthcare delivery and others.
According to Okoro, the Abia Arise movement initially known as Abia First was established to promote government activities across the state’s communities, educate the public on accurate information, disseminate government programmes, and defend the administration when necessary.
He added that the structure was aimed to provide strategic support for Dr Otti’s potential ambition in the 2027 Governorship election.
“Abia Arise has expanded its presence across the state with nine active structures at the state level and numerous others at local government and ward levels. Market structures have also been inaugurated in strategic commercial hubs including Alaoji, Timber, Asanato, Ubani, and Ariaria markets, with plans underway to formally launch the Ngwa Road market chapter”, he said.
In addition, Hon Okoro said tertiary institutions were not left out, as Abia Arise chapters now exist in Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic and would soon be established at the Abia State University, Uturu.
The Pro-group coordinator further emphasized the group’s commitment to ensuring full statewide coverage.
“When you compare the Abia of the past with the Abia of today, there is no choice but to commend the Governor”.
He noted recent initiatives such as the acquisition of electric buses to improve mobility and the sustained implementation of free education as evidence of the Governor’s commitment to transforming the state.
Okoro, however, frowned at the recent critics of the Governor and asked why they were inactive when the state was deteriorating. “We won election when we were not in power. As opposition, we wrestled power and won. Now that we are on the seat, we will regain it come 2027″.
He urged those yet to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards to visit to any of the centres for registration and collection of their cards. He also called on all Abians to support the Governor, pray for his administration, and remain vigilant against any attempts to undermine the democratic process.
Reflecting on his political journey, Okoro revealed his long-standing association with Dr. Otti. “I was the Arochukwu Local Government Area chairman from 2001 to 2002 and served on the Transition Committee in 2011. I joined Alex in 2013 when we were both in the PDP,” he said.
He described the Governor as a competent economist with strong values in transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, Okoro explained that Abia First’s core philosophy was to prioritize the state over individual interests or political affiliations. He recounted the group’s evolution, from its early days under the late Harbert Wigwe as Board chairman.
He said the PDP had different ideologies that were not conducive, which resulted to their brief partnership with APGA, and a later stint with the APC. In 2023, the Governor contested under the Labour Party for the third time and secured victory.
