Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has given an account of his administration’s performance since assuming office, highlighting road construction, reduced cost of governance, electricity generation and fiscal management, while also clarifying his position on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Otti spoke on ARISE News on Friday, September 25, 2026, where he also addressed his continued membership of the Labour Party, political campaigning in Abia and the legacy he intends to leave behind.
On infrastructure, the governor said his administration had commenced and completed hundreds of road projects across the state.
“I have started and completed 490 roads within 39 months,” Otti said.
Otti put the number of roads completed at about 450 in his discussion of the administration’s infrastructure programme, indicating that the figures cited during the interview may reflect different stages or classifications of the projects.
The governor also highlighted what he described as a major reduction in the cost of running government, saying his administration had brought the cost of governance down to about 20 per cent of expenditure.
“I have cut down the cost of governance in Abia from 100 per cent to 20 per cent,” he said.
In a related explanation of the state’s finances, Otti said salaries account for about 11.9 per cent of expenditure and that his government had maintained capital expenditure at roughly 80–82 per cent of the state budget. He also said Abia’s inherited debt had fallen from N191.2 billion to N48.4 billion.
Power and industrial development
Otti also pointed to electricity as a central component of his administration’s economic strategy.
According to him, Abia’s independent power initiatives have gone beyond supplying electricity within the state, with the governor claiming that the state is currently supplying electricity to Eche Local Government Area in Rivers State and generating revenue from the arrangement.
He said the administration’s broader strategy was to provide infrastructure capable of supporting businesses and manufacturers, particularly in Aba, where electricity costs have been a major constraint.
Otti also referenced the administration’s work with Geometric Power and discussions with TotalEnergies on alternative gas supply arrangements.
‘Experienced people’ running government
Defending his choice of cabinet members and other officials, Otti said his administration had deliberately relied on people with experience.
“I have experienced people as Commissioners,” he said.
He also presented himself as someone with a background extending beyond government and banking, noting that he writes and has worked as a columnist for THISDAY Newspaper.
Otti clarifies Tinubu position
Perhaps the most politically significant part of the interview was Otti’s explanation of his position on President Tinubu and the 2027 presidential election.
Otti rejected the interpretation that he had publicly declared support for Tinubu’s re-election, stressing that his support for Tinubu as the President of Nigeria should not automatically be interpreted as his choice of presidential candidate for 2027.
“I have never said that I am supporting Tinubu for the 2027 election.”
The governor said he has a presidential candidate whom he intends to support, while acknowledging Tinubu’s constitutional right to contest.
ARISE reported that Otti distinguished between supporting Tinubu in his capacity as President and his own political choice for the 2027 presidential election. He said, as a governor and member of the National Economic Council, he participates in federal-government processes and therefore has responsibilities that are separate from his electoral preference.
He further explained that disagreement with a sitting president does not necessarily require public confrontation.
Otti said that where he disagrees with government policy, he would rather raise his concerns within the appropriate government meetings than openly oppose the President while being part of the system.
‘Anyone can campaign in Abia’
On the possibility of political actors campaigning in Abia ahead of the 2027 elections, Otti said the state would remain open to political activities.
“Anyone who wants to campaign in Abia is allowed. That is what democracy is all about.”
He also offered a simple observation on the electoral contest:
“In an election, you may win if you contest, but you cannot win if you don’t contest.”
His comments come as political parties and potential candidates position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Umahi cannot speak for me
Otti also addressed comments attributed to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, concerning political support.
The governor acknowledged his relationship with Umahi, describing him as his cousin, but stressed that the relationship did not give Umahi the authority to determine his presidential preference.
“Umahi is my cousin, but he cannot speak for me in the choice of President to support.”
The Otti legacy
Looking beyond the immediate political cycle, the governor said the principal legacy he wants to leave behind is one of effective and quality governance.
“The legacy I will leave for Abia people will be the legacy of quality and sound leadership.”
He also offered a broader reflection on leadership; “In leadership, you cannot give what you don’t have.”
