By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

On January 1st in the New Year, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti made a broadcast to the good people of the State. It was a message of hope which focused on expectations in 2026 and the set goals to be actualized. The governor, appropriately, reviewed the milestones that were achieved in the preceding year, thus setting the tone for what is to come in the New Year.

The governor highlighted the notable strides the State made in key sectors of the economy, especially road constructions and transportation, urban renewal, environmental sanitation, education and health services, workerswelfare and civil service reforms, land administration, agriculture and power. The glaring achievements of the administration in these areas have continued to resonate with the people who are very pleased with the impressive social and economic transformation that has taken place just under two and half years of Ottis stewardship.

It is hardly surprising that the Governor has been receiving huge accolades from people across the length and breadth of the State, following the sterling performance he has shown since he assumed office. The grateful people of Abia State are ready and willing to continue to give support to the performing governor so that he would be motivated to do more for the rapid development of the State. In the New Year message, the governor urged the good people of Abia to embrace 2026 as a new beginning and soar beyond expectations, adding that they should not allow the mistakes or challenges they faced in 2025 to affect their resolve to rise above their current limitations.

“Every New Year brings its unique set of opportunities and challenges so while interpretation of past events may help, my considered opinion is that it is best to look to the future with courage. Mistakes may have been made in times past but the New Year is an invitation to begin again, this time, on a clean slate. I enjoin us to embrace this gift of a new beginning with a genuine sense of optimism, confident that we have been made wiser by the setbacks of yesterday.”

This solemn message coming from Governor Otti, is very reassuring.

Given the sterling accomplishments of the governor in the last two and half years, and his reassuring message of hope, the people strongly believe that Dr. Otti would be posting a superlative performance in 2026. This is expected to provide the social momentum that is required to propel him into a second term in office.
Otti has done exceptionally well that his reelection is almost a done deal. Those in the opposition who are pretending to be running for the governorship of the State, should know that there is no vacancy in the Government House, Umuahia.

Otti must be allowed to consolidate his achievements and deepen the culture of good governance which he initiated upon assumption of office in 2023. Abians witnessed and experienced gross misgovernance and underdevelopment during the 24 years of the locust represented by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State. They are not ready to go back to Egypt.

As we commence the New Year on the pedestal of hope, Abians are expectant that all on-going projects, including the Abia Airport, Nsulu; Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP), Owaza; Enyimba Hotels, Aba; Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Highway and Ohafia-Arochukwu Road would receive greater attention this fiscal year.

May God continue to inspire the governor to remain on the path of excellence and resilience. He has done well. We expect him to do better as he approaches the finishing line.

Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com