Ikwuano stakeholders of Abia State, on Wednesday, expressed satisfaction with the Alex Otti-led administration, declaring that opposition would fail in a quest to unseat Otti in the 2027 election.
The stakeholders said the meeting was convened following a declaration by the three immediate past governors of the state, Orji Uzor Kalu, Theodore Ahamefule Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu, to unseat Otti in the next governorship election.
The stakeholders included Adolphus Okebugwu, Friday Eluwa, Okezie Chukwuemeka, Emetu Chikezie, Mercy Alamba, Innocent Elogu, Iroabuchi Chukwuemeka and Christopher Elogu.
Speaking, the Mayor, Ikwuano LGA, Anthony Nwaubani said the state was witnessing a new lease of life under Otti, in all ramifications.
He slammed the opposition for not offering better alternatives.
Nwaubani said, “There is no vacancy in Government House, come 2027. We must defeat the opposition.
“Opposition or criticism should be factual, but when you present a very wrong picture of the reality on ground, you make yourself a public enemy.
“Recently, there were comments as to what Alex Otti is doing. They said he is painting roads, and that has attracted the anger of the people. Do we want to go back to Egypt? The answer is no.”
He knocked the opposition in the state, saying the strides of the Otti government in infrastructure, among other sectors, were visible.
Nwaubani said, “It is said that if you want to appreciate light, then you need to experience darkness. “If there are people who have experienced darkness in time past, it is the Abia people.
“Even those who just came to Abia would have known that before Otti, Abia was in a sorry state. We look at him as God-sent. If he had not emerged, a lot of us would have moved to Equatorial Guinea.
“Before now, businesses moved away to neighbouring states, but since his emergence, they have returned. Abia is now in the news for good reason. You are now extremely proud of introducing yourselves as an Abian. Before now, you hid your identity. Abians who ran away because of infrastructure decay have now relocated back because they see the good developments in the state.”
Deputy Mayor, Lucky Awuwa, led the call where the stakeholders passed a vote of confidence in the second term bid of Otti.
“We are not induced, Otti is a dynamite, dogged and a man of vision. Ikwuano will solidly stand behind him,” Amuwa said.
He further urged residents of the state to obtain their Permanent Voters’ Cards ahead of the election.
The Member, representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Chris Nkwonta, has enjoined his Constituents and Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, hope, patience, humility and love for humanity as exemplified by Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the real essence of Easter Celebration.
In a statement personally signed by the Legislator, he called on his Constituents and the Christian Community in Nigeria to demonstrate Christ-like virtues of love for humanity, hope for a better future, peaceful and harmonious disposition in their dealings with one another for a United Ukwa Federal Constituency and indeed Nigeria, where brotherly love reigns amongst Citizens.
He maintained that despite the prevailing temporary economic difficulties; there is light at the end of the tunnel and strong hope for a better, improved and secured economy within a short period of time.
Hon. Nkwonta, wished everyone a hitch free and joyous Easter Celebration!
The Rivers State Police Command has declared that the tragic death of a 26-year-old lady, Peace Moses, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was not reported in any of its divisions or units across the state.
Peace was knocked down last Monday evening by a convoy of about 15 fast-moving vehicles around Omega Junction along Ada-George Road in Port Harcourt.
She was returning from an evening service at her church, Love Channel Christian Centre, also located along Ada-George Road, when the tragic incident occurred.
Last Thursday, a candlelight procession was organised in her honour by her friends and neighbours.
Speaking with our correspondent in Port Harcourt yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), wondered why neighbours could not report the incident to the Police.
Iringe-Koko stated that even the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Rumuepirikom Police Division was unaware of the tragic incident.
“Probably they didn’t report any such incident to the Police Station because the DPO in charge of that area is asking me where and when the incident occurred.
See, if they don’t report cases to the Police, how would the Police know? We are not magicians. I just spoke with the DPO, and she said she is not aware of anything like that.
“Somebody needs to report or anyhow, information needs to get through so that we too will get it,” she said.
But reacting to the claim by the Police, a human rights lawyer, Courage Nsirimovu, said that, with or without a report on the tragic incident, the Police are duty-bound to investigate the matter.
Nsirimovu said: “The duty of the Nigerian police is to secure lives and properties, and where a life has been lost in such grievous circumstances, the police have a duty to investigate the matter on the basis of their mandate and the public need to prevent such a menace to human life.
“The Police have a duty to investigate the matter, with or without a petition.”
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, on Sunday said many Nigerians might seek a constitutional amendment to allow President Bola Tinubu to remain in office beyond two terms.
The monarch, in a congratulatory message by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, to celebrate Tinubu’s 74th birthday, described the President as a decisive leader who has laid a renewed foundation of hope for the country.
“Many Nigerians may beg for a constitutional review for Tinubu to spend more than two terms in office. He is a leader who knows what he is doing,” he said.
Oluwo said the President had distinguished himself through what he described as a firm campaign against illegalities that had stalled the country’s economic growth.
He added that the President’s administrative prowess had driven notable gains, citing improvements in the naira, a rise in foreign reserves from about $1bn to between $49.5bn and $50.45bn as of late February/March 2026, and strengthened economic indices.
The monarch attributed the gains to structural reforms, including exchange rate unification, increased oil output and higher foreign investment inflows.
Oluwo also commended Tinubu for granting local government autonomy, increasing allocations to states, expanding road infrastructure and improving palliative distribution at the grassroots.
According to him, past leaders attempted similar economic reforms but were overwhelmed by public and political pressure.
He said only a capable leader could implement tough but necessary decisions to reposition the economy.
Oluwo added that the President’s policies had begun to impact the standard of living, noting that the next phase would be stability.
He said, “You are not yet a capable leader until you make decisions and stand by them. Many past presidents attempted to remove obstacles to economic prosperity but were overrun by public outcries. Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon leadership through reforms.
“Nigeria’s foreign reserves have increased to over $49.5bn from about $1bn. Local government autonomy is taking effect, states earn more, and road projects, including Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Sokoto-Badagry, are ongoing.”