The Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, has called on Abians to support Governor Alex Otti for another four-year term in 2027, arguing that the administration has recorded significant changes across infrastructure, education, healthcare and public service.
Ukoha made the appeal in a statement issued on Saturday, September 19, 2026, titled “Ndi Abia, The World Is Now Sleeping In Our State — Let Us Reward A Good Job With More Jobs.” He contrasted the condition of the state before Otti assumed office on May 29, 2023, with what he described as the administration’s achievements over the past three years.
According to him, Abia had endured years of unpaid salaries, pension arrears, abandoned infrastructure and environmental challenges before the change of government in 2023.
“Where was Abia on May 28, 2023, and where is Abia today? We all know the answer,” Ukoha said, insisting that “Improvement, Transformation and Renewal started in Abia” with Otti’s assumption of office.
He listed major road projects across the state as some of the most visible signs of the administration’s intervention, citing the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road, Omenuko Bridge, Ohanku Road, Obohia Road, Ovom Erosion Site, Joe Irukwu Way, Otisi Kalu Abbot Way, Ohafia-Arochukwu Road, Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Road, Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard and several others.
Ukoha said the administration had completed and embarked on hundreds of road projects across Abia, describing the projects as evidence of the government’s stated commitment to infrastructure development. The governor had previously disclosed that 414 road projects covering about 864 kilometres had been completed in the state, with another 82 projects spanning about 212 kilometres under construction. (Premium Times Nigeria)
On workers’ welfare, the governor’s spokesman said the administration had cleared salary arrears inherited from previous administrations, some of which he said accumulated to between 11 and 36 months.
“The era of owing workers is over,” Ukoha declared, adding that salaries were now being paid on the 28th of every month, while pension arrears and outstanding gratuities were being cleared in batches.
He also highlighted youth-focused programmes, including TechRise Digital and ICT Training Initiative, Abia Leadership Academy, Abia Digi-Upskill and Girls-in-ICT, which he said had trained more than 2,200 young people for opportunities in the global digital economy.
According to him, the administration had equally renovated and upgraded several government facilities, including the Workers’ Secretariat, JAAC Building, Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat, Aguiyi Ironsi Conference Centre, Michael Okpara Auditorium, SSG Building, Government House Clinic, Governor’s Office and Residence, as well as transportation facilities.
In healthcare, Ukoha cited the retrofitting of 277 Primary Healthcare Centres, seven general hospitals and ongoing work at specialist and tertiary healthcare facilities, including the second phase of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital.
The figure of 277 retrofitted primary healthcare centres has also been publicly reported by the state government and independent media, with 200 funded by Abia State and 77 supported through the World Bank-backed project. (Premium Times Nigeria)
The CPS further highlighted interventions in education, including the rehabilitation of public schools, the development of Smart Schools, recruitment of teachers and reforms at tertiary institutions such as Abia State University, Abia State College of Education Technical and Abia State Polytechnic.
The state government has separately reported the recruitment of more than 5,000 teachers in 2025, with a further recruitment exercise targeting 4,000 teachers, following increased enrolment under its free and compulsory basic education programme. (FM Information & National Orientation)
‘The World Is Now Sleeping in Abia’
Ukoha devoted a substantial part of the statement to what he described as increased international attention to Abia under Otti.
He said the visits of diplomats and foreign representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, Poland, Vietnam, China, Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands, the European Union and Israel represented a significant change from the past.
According to him, US Ambassador Richard Mills Jr. spent two days in Abia, while UK High Commissioner Richard Montgomery and Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter also visited the state and engaged with government officials and projects.
He also cited visits by the Polish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Hungarian, German and Israeli diplomatic representatives, as well as European Union and Netherlands officials, saying the engagements were focused on areas including infrastructure, power, manufacturing, agriculture, technology and economic development.
Ukoha argued that the growing diplomatic attention was an indication that Abia was attracting increased international interest.
“Why does this matter? It is Global Endorsement,” he said, adding that “Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Consul-Generals and Country Representatives don’t sleep in a State by accident.”
He further quoted Governor Otti as telling foreign representatives: “We don’t want aid, we want partnerships”, particularly in power, waste recycling, digital inclusion and industrialisation.
According to Ukoha, the administration’s objective was to move Abia “from aid to trade” by attracting investment and partnerships capable of expanding economic opportunities in the state.
‘We Are Not Yet There’
Despite highlighting the administration’s achievements, Ukoha acknowledged that significant infrastructure and development needs remained across Abia.
He listed several areas and local government areas where roads, schools, hospitals, markets and other facilities still require attention, adding that Otti was committed to addressing the outstanding needs.
“But we are not yet there,” he said. “More roads in Isuikwuato, Obingwa, Bende, Isialangwa, Ikwuano, Aba, Arochukwu, Osisioma, Ukwa, Umuahia, Ugwunagbo, Umunneochi, and Ohafia still need to be built and rehabilitated. More schools, more hospitals, more jobs, more markets still need attention.”
Ukoha subsequently made an explicit appeal for Otti to be returned for a second term in 2027, framing it around continuity of the administration’s projects and policies.
“This is why we make this passionate appeal to our people: In Igbo land we say: When a man does well, you give him more. The reward for a good job is more jobs,” he said.
“Governor Otti has done very well. He does not deserve to be stopped halfway.”
He called on residents across the state and communities from different ethnic and professional backgrounds to unite behind what he described as “One Abia” and support Otti for another term.
“Let us come together as ONE ABIA and reward this transformational leader with FOUR MORE YEARS in 2027,” Ukoha said.
“Let us protect Abia from returning to Egypt. Let it be said that when Abia finally found a good leader, we had the wisdom to keep him. For our children. For posterity. For the New Abia. Four More Years. One More Mandate. For a Greater Abia.”
