ABIA LG MAYORS PASS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON GOV. OTTI, DENY ALLEGATIONS OF LG FUNDS HIJACK

The Mayors of the 17 Local Government Areas in Abia State, under the umbrella of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), have passed a unanimous vote of confidence on Governor Alex Otti and pledged their support for his re-election in 2027.

The Mayors made this declaration on Friday at the Government House, Umuahia, through a communiqué issued after their meeting.

Reading the communiqué at a press conference, the Chairman of ALGON in Abia State and Mayor of Isuikwuato LGA, Hon. Chinedu Ekeke, said Governor Otti’s performance is evident across all 17 local government areas, noting that the Governor has shown clear commitment to good governance and service delivery.

According to him, “The administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has demonstrated strong commitment to good governance, fiscal responsibility and effective service delivery, with verifiable improvements recorded across the 17 local governments.”

He listed achievements in road recovery, rehabilitation and construction, improved healthcare and educational facilities, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, clearance of salary backlogs, and prudent management of public resources.

Ekeke further stated:
“ALGON, Abia State, collectively and unequivocally commits its absolute support to the re-election of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, in 2027.”

He added that ALGON had unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Governor in recognition of his demonstrable performance, purposeful leadership and commitment to restoring integrity, efficiency and quality service delivery to the people of Abia State.

Responding to questions from journalists, Hon. Ekeke dismissed allegations that Governor Otti hijacks local government funds, describing them as baseless.

“I am not aware of any funds being hijacked,” he said. “The Federal Government is responsible for the allocation of funds to both states and local governments. These funds are paid into the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), not directly to the local governments.”

He explained that local governments are currently funded through the JAAC system and insisted that they are adequately funded under the present administration.

“As it stands, the local governments are properly funded. There is strong collaboration between the state government and the local governments in Abia State, and the state government under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti has been funding the local governments from the JAAC account,” he stressed.

The ALGON Chairman also expressed concern over recent public statements and political meetings by individuals he described as “architects of a failed past,” who he said are unsettled by the visible progress being recorded in the state.

He noted that while freedom of expression is a constitutional right, such individuals— including former governors and their associates—should not attempt to pre-empt the democratic process through speculative political rhetoric.

“The unease behind these statements does not arise from poor governance, but from the clear contrast between Governor Otti’s achievements and the poor records of past administrations,” Ekeke said.

ALGON, he added, called on all political actors to engage constructively in the democratic process and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies and programmes that strengthen local governance, deepen institutional development and improve the quality of life of citizens.

The press conference was attended by all the 17 Mayors, including Hon. Timothy Iheke (Aba North), Hon. Anyanwu Obilor (Aba South), Hon. Okereke Ezearo (Arochukwu), Hon. Uwabunkeonye Bassey (Bende), Hon. Dr. Anthony Nwaubani (Ikwuano and ALGON Secretary), Hon. Innocent Uruakpa (Isiala Ngwa North), Hon. Nnadozie Nwaogwugwu (Isiala Ngwa South), Hon. Maxwell Nwadike (Obingwa), Hon. Eleanya Oju-Kalu (Ohafia), Hon. Chidi Christian Agu (Osisioma Ngwa), Hon. Ihenacho Chiemela Nwagbara (Ugwunagbo), Hon. Chibunna Akara (Ukwa East), Pastor Hon. Dike Nwankwo (Ukwa West), Hon. Smart Ihuoma (Umuahia North), Hon. Chinedu Enwereuzo (Umuahia South) and Hon. Sunday Afuruobi (Umunneochi), who all flanked the ALGON Chairman.