The Ukwa La Ngwa people of Abia State have raised ₦100 million to purchase the nomination forms for Governor Alex Otti’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The donation was announced on Friday during a grand civic reception organised in honour of the governor at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.
A statement issued on Saturday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Njoku Ukoha, said the fund was collectively raised by the Ukwa La Ngwa people as a show of appreciation and endorsement of Otti’s performance in office.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Ukwa La Ngwa Civic Reception and Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, disclosed that the group was willing to contribute more if the need arose.
Governor Otti, while addressing the mammoth crowd, expressed gratitude for the reception and endorsement.
“The time we came in here this afternoon, the mammoth crowd was intimidating. I want to thank all of you.
“Thank you for the endorsement. Thank you for the support. Thank you for the encouragement,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to people-centred governance, stressing that public interest, not personal or partisan considerations, would continue to guide his leadership.
“One thing you can take home is that because this is your government, your interest will always come first. This is not about party or partisan celebration,” Otti added.
He also announced that Ovom Road would be commissioned on February 25, the same day the reconstruction of the Enyimba Hotel would be officially flagged off.
According to him, the five-star hotel project, to be handled by Radisson Blu, is expected to be completed by next year.
“Our style is not to flag off and go home.
We want the five-star hotel to start functioning by next year,” the governor said.
Otti further urged residents of Aba to register for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of future elections and to take responsibility for security and environmental cleanliness in their communities.
“The number of people in Aba is ten times larger than the number of votes that come from Aba. The only way to show your strength is to get people to come out and register,” he said.
Chairman of the occasion and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, described the event as a reflection of the people’s verdict on the governor’s performance.
“This is not a political party rally; it is a people’s verdict. It is the collective affirmation of the masses to celebrate a man who has demonstrated that good governance is achievable and real,” Wabara said.
“Let no one be deceived: Abians will never again surrender their mandate to any cabal. Any attempt to subvert the will of the people in 2027 will be firmly resisted.”
Also speaking, the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, and the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Darlington Nwokocha, said Governor Otti’s performance across critical sectors had earned him broad-based support.
Earlier, leader and spokesperson of the Ukwa La Ngwa people, Chief Theo Nkire, described Otti as “a great achiever,” crediting his administration with transforming Aba into “a world-class industrial hub.”
Traditional rulers from Ukwa La Ngwa extraction also pledged their support for the governor, while the event featured cultural displays and was attended by several dignitaries, including the member representing Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency, Ginger Onwusibe.
