Abia deputy mayors forum endorses Otti for second term in office
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
The Abia State Deputy Mayors’ Forum has passed a vote of confidence on Governor Alex Otti and endorsed him for a second term in office.
The chairman of the forum and Deputy Mayor of Obi Ngwa Local Government Area, Hon Destiny Isiguzo, made the decision public in Umuahia, the state capital, on Friday.
He said the endorsement followed a thorough assessment of the governor’s performance since he assumed office.
Isiguzo explained that the forum evaluated the administration’s performance in key sectors including health, education, agriculture, human capital development, infrastructure and other public utilities.
According to him, Governor Otti has provided a clear policy direction that has positioned Abia as an attractive investment destination due to its business friendly environment.
He said, “Based on these achievements, we are first of all giving His Excellency a vote of confidence. We are also commending him.
“From the feedback we are receiving from the grassroots, we want to state unequivocally that we are endorsing His Excellency to run again in 2027, and we will support him with our resources, our connections, our people and our structures.
“Whatever it takes, we will give him our support and ensure that he wins. That is our resolution. We are supporting him because he has proven that leadership is not rocket science. Leadership is about having the right person at the helm of affairs, and we cannot do this work halfway.
“We are appealing to him to run again, and we are assuring him that deputy mayors across the state will support him with our resources and structures. We are not saying this lightly. This position reflects the feelings we are getting from the grassroots.”
Responding to questions on whether local governments, as the third tier of government, were receiving their full statutory allocations, Isiguzo said funds were being shared in line with constitutional provisions.
“Are we getting our allocations as provided for in the Constitution and in the manner prescribed? Of course,” he said.