Alex Otti’s 2027 ambition is premature, says Abia north group

A group of young professionals from Abia north has described talks of endorsing Alex Otti, governor of the state, for a second term as “hasty and undemocratic”.

The Old Bende Young Professionals said no stakeholder meeting was held to discuss the 2027 governorship election or the adoption of a candidate.

In a statement signed by Chima Ogbonnaya, president, and Dike Okwara, secretary, the group dismissed a purported endorsement led by Mascot Ikwechegh, a lawmaker representing Aba north/Aba south, as “null and void”.

The group said Ikwechegh’s involvement in the endorsement exercise was inappropriate, noting that he had abandoned his legislative responsibilities to meddle in a matter outside his constituency.

“It is a parody of the absurd,” the statement reads.

“If this were a military era, everyone who participated in that charade would be court-martialed. It is not only premature but also presumptuous.”

The group said the 2027 governorship should return to Abia north under the Old Bende arrangement, noting that consultations are yet to begin on who to support.

“It is unthinkable for the Old Bende bloc to endorse anyone outside its fold when we have several qualified sons and daughters,” the group said.

The group listed Ben Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives; Sampson Ogah, a former minister of state for mines and steel; Philips Nto, a former commissioner and provost; Etigwe Uwa, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN); Chikwe Udensi; and Nnenna Ukeje, among others, as capable contenders.

It warned traditional rulers against being used for political endorsement, urging them to “preserve their dignity and stay within their cultural boundaries”.

The group advised Ikwechegh to focus on his duties in Aba and, if interested in Old Bende politics, to “contest for a Bende seat in 2027 and relinquish Aba to the Ngwa people in the interest of equity and fairness”.

According to the group, the governor’s recent actions were a “clear display of self-interest and disregard for democratic processes”.