STAKEHOLDERS from different political parties, traditional rulers, the clergy, women and leaders of Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia state have unanimously passed a vote of Confidence On the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti following his tremendous infrastructural development across all sectors of the state.
The people of the area who took the decision at the end of an enlarged stakeholders meeting which held Wednesday at the council’s headquarters at Akwete, affirmed their total support for the state Governor to complete all his good works in the state.
After an exhaustive deliberation on the administration of the Governor in the past two years and three months, the people of the Local Government Area expressed satisfaction that by the time the Governor completes his first tenure in office that the state would witness an unprecedented infrastructural turnaround never witnessed since the creation of the state.
The motion for the Vote of Confidence was moved by Hon. Ken Okere who was a two term commissioner at the Abia State lndependent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) and seconded by Royal Super High Chief Israel Nwahunanya( Bekee Ukwa) who was also a former Local Government Chairman of the People’s Democratic party (PDP) for many years in the Council and later the state Treasurer of the same party
The people of the Area commended the Governor for the ongoing construction of both the Ohanku and the Obohia roads of Aba which leads to Ukwaeast Local Government Area and appealed to the Governor to ensure that both roads are not abandoned but terminates at the aforementioned towns of Ukwa East Local Government Area to open up the Area and give the people a sense of belonging in the Present Government.
Earlier in his opening remark, the Executive Chairman of Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia state, Hon. Chibunna Akara enumerated various developmental strides already achieved by the state Government and the council since the inception of his administration in November last year.
He recalled that his administration had on assumption of office embarked on various road grading and rehabilitation including the renovation of various buildings within the council.
He stated that the council also sponsored many students in the last Junior and Senior Secondary schools WAEC Examinations while over thirty Youths of the council have been trained in Digital Skill Acquisitions and empowered to be on their own and that additional 50 youths will soon be shortlisted for the next tranch of the programme which remains ongoing in this administration to ensure that the Youths are gainfully engaged.
The chairman also stated that the Local Government has enjoyed peace since the inception of the present administration with a proactive synergy adopted with the security Agencies and the Local Vigilante organisations.
Hon. Akara also disclosed that there is an ongoing construction of solar water projects across the ten electoral wards of the council with six of them already completed.
The chairman also told the people that the state Government has earmarked twenty schools for reconstruction across the ten wards of the council including the construction of Ultra Modern High Court at Akwete, and the ongoing construction and renovation of ten Health centres across the ten wards of the council and called on the people to continue to support the administration of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti whom he said meant well for the council and the entire state as a whole.
The people of the area who spoke through many leaders also commented on some other problems of the council which includes lack of Electricity and Boundary Challenges and called on the council Chairman to relay their challenges to the Governor for positive response. They, however praised the Mayor of the Council, Hon. Chibunna Akara for the peace that the Local Government has enjoyed since he became the chairman and urged him to sustain his strategy.
The people also agreed to set up different committees to look into the various challenges of the council and proffer a lasting solution that would positively impact on the lives of the people of the area.
Speaking at the occasion, the state commissioner for lnformation, Prince Okey Kanu who hails from the Area assured the people that the two roads of Obohia and Ohanku currently ongoing from Aba will be completed by the State Government and that both roads will terminate at Ukwa East local Government Area towns.
He also disclosed that the state Government will also embark soon on another road that would cut across many other villages in council through RAMP while the state Government has also concluded plans to commence the construction of a General Hospital at Ohanku village of the council.
The commissioner assured the people that the council will be adequately carried along in the developmental programmes of the state Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti whom he described as caring and sensitive to the plight of the people of the state irrespective of where you come from and also called for a sustained support of the people for the Present administration.
Many speakers at the occasion, including, Hon. Lewis Obianyi, representing Ukwa East state constituency in the State House of Assembly, HRH Eze Ikeagwuchi Ekeke, Lady Dr. Ngozi Nwagbara, immediate past Mayor of the council and currently a Commissioner at the Local Government Service Commission, Dr. Chika Emuchay, former commissioner for Health in the State, Special Adviser to the Governor, Mrs Matilda Anyamele, Chief Uche Sunday Aja, (Odereoha) a former Transistion Committee Chairman of the council who also moderated the occasion among others commended the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Chibunna Akara for convening such a high profile gathering of stakeholders of the council irrespective of political affiliations saying that that was the first of it’s kind in the council and called on him to sustain same where the people will always meet to rub minds for the general well-being and development of the council.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said that no law mandates that a governor operate from anywhere other than the Government House.
This is as he declared that he is still in the Labour Party “for now”.
The governor, who stated this while responding to questions during a media parley in Umuahia, dared his predecessors who threatened to sue him for operating from his private residence at Nvosi instead of the Government House in Umuahia, to proceed to the court as quickly as they could.
Otti said his lawyers were fully prepared for any legal confrontation on the matter.
“I am waiting to be sued. My lawyers are ready. I have looked at the Constitution and there is nowhere it says I must live in a particular place,” the governor said.
Otti, who is currently rebuilding the Governor’s Lodge as well as a brand new office inside the Government House, said the facility was left in a deplorable condition by past administrations.
“The state in which they left the Government House speaks for itself. I don’t owe anybody an explanation,” he added.
Recall that some of his predecessors – Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, Sen. Theodore Orji, and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu – and their loyalists, recently threatened to sue Otti and compel him to relocate to Government House Umuahia.
Meanwhile, the governor announced the extension of the state’s free electric bus service by one month.
He explained that the 20 electric buses, which commenced operations in late December 2025 and were originally scheduled to end free services in January, would now continue to operate free of charge until the end of February 2026.
On the leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP), and speculations about his possible defection ahead of the next election, Otti said he remains a member of the party for now.
“I am still in the Labour Party today. Tomorrow is another matter,” he said.
The governor noted that the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Working Committee of the LP had been affirmed by a recent court judgment as the authentic leadership of the party.
“So, the Court judgment confirmed actually that his tenure has expired and advised people to obey court decisions to save the courts from unnecessary troubles.
“We are not in election period. If election comes, we will still run under the Labour Party, but nobody knows tomorrow. But today, I am still in the Labour Party.”
He said the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment had already been transmitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), expressing optimism that the electoral umpire would comply accordingly.
Otti urged the former National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, to respect and obey the court ruling.
“We are on the right side of the law. The court affirmed that Abure’s tenure has expired. People must obey court judgments to avoid unnecessary stress on the judiciary,” he said.
“We are not in an election season yet. When elections come, we will still run under the Labour Party. But today, I am a bona fide member of the Labour Party.”
Earlier in his remarks, the governor highlighted key achievements of his administration, particularly in education, infrastructure, and revenue generation.
He said the introduction of free education had led to a significant increase in student enrollment across public schools in the state.
Otti also disclosed that the iconic Omenuko Bridge at the Abam section of the Bende–Ohafia federal road had been completed and was ready for inauguration.
He added that several road projects across the state were progressing steadily, while the contractor handling the Ohafia–Arochukwu Road had been directed to return to the site.
The governor further announced that the expansion of the Lokpanta Cattle Market into a multi-sector commercial hub would soon commence following the State Executive Council’s approval of the project design.
He also revealed plans to digitise the collection of levies from hotels and other hospitality businesses to boost internally generated revenue.
“In the next few months, hotels will be assessed using verified criteria, and with the click of a button, they will receive their rates,” Otti said.
Reaffirming his commitment to good governance, the governor assured Abians of increased infrastructural development, stressing that his overriding goal is to leave the state better than he found it.
The Federal Government has approved the construction of a ₦1 trillion Metropolitan Rail Service for Kano State, aimed at transforming urban transportation and easing traffic congestion across the metropolitan area.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced the approval while addressing the State’s contingent that participated in the 2025 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Borno State.
In a statement released on Thursday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the Governor yusuf said the project would “provide a modern, efficient, and affordable mass transit system that will connect key districts within the metropolis, enhance mobility for residents, and stimulate trade and investment.”
Yusuf explained that the decision of his administration to realign with the Federal Government under the All Progressives Congress (APC) was “driven by the need to attract critical development projects to Kano State.”
Our correspondent reports that Governor Yusuf had a couple of days ago formally joined the APC after defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Describing the rail service as “a landmark intervention,” the governor said it would “significantly improve the quality of life of the people and reposition Kano as a major transportation hub in Northern Nigeria.” He assured that the state government would “work closely with relevant federal agencies to ensure smooth implementation of the project, transparency, and maximum benefits for the people of the state.”
Governor Yusuf also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for approving the project and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment “to complement federal efforts through supportive policies and infrastructure development.”
Legal practitioners numbering over 500 acting under the aegis of Concerned Lawyers for Probity and Justice, stormed the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, to join the protest by indigenous contractors demanding the payment of an estimated N4 trillion for completed capital projects.
The legal practitioners, who were also joined by other civil society groups such as The Enough is Enough Movement and the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, AICAN, accused the ministry of favouritism in its dealings with contractors.
The protesters equally demanded the resignation of Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite over her alledged mismanagement of the crisis.
Several protesters were sighted along with several police patrol vehicles as well as armed policemen blocking the main entrance of the Ministry’s building at 12:48 p.m., yesterday.
Some of the contractors who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation claimed that despite partial disbursements in December 2025, the majority of verified debts remain unsettled, exacerbating their financial hardship.
In a statement signed by Precious Okoh, which was read during the peaceful protest, contractors highlighted cases where individuals who borrowed at high interest rates to fund projects now face asset seizures by banks.
Okoh said: “Contractors who borrowed from banks at high interest rates to fund these projects now face relentless loan defaults, with banks seizing homes, vehicles, and other assets.
“Wives and children watch their breadwinners sink into despair, some pushed to the brink of mental breakdown or worse.
“Entire households have been uprooted, dreams shattered, and futures stolen—all because payments promised and earned have not been made.
“Beyond individual suffering, the ripple effects cripple our national economy. These contractors employ thousands of workers—masons, engineers, labourers—who depend on steady contracts for survival.
“When payments stall, jobs vanish, purchasing power drops, local markets suffer, and economic growth grinds to a halt. A nation that starves its own builders starves itself of progress.”