Old Bende Hosts Gov. Alex Otti in Aba
The people of Old Bende in Abia State, comprising Arochukwu, Bende, Ikwuano, Isuikwuato, Ohafia, Umunneochi, Umuahia North and Umuahia South including Edda in Ebonyi State, on Friday rolled out the drums in a grand civic reception in honour of the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR), for his quality leadership and monumental achievements within a short time in office.
The epoch-making event, tagged “Celebrating Good Governance and Transformational Leadership As New Abia Has Risen” was organized by the Old Bende Progressive Union (OBPU). It took place at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba on Friday, October 31, 2025.
The attendance was unprecedented, attracting top government officials, traditional rulers, political leaders, clergy, academics, youths, women and other groups from across and beyond the state.
Musicians, cultural troupes and masquerades of different hues entertained the excited audience, while business operators around the stadium recorded brisk sales.
The atmosphere became electrified when Governor Otti arrived, as the cheering crowd erupted in jubilation with songs of praise amid cannon shots.
In his welcome address, the Chief Host and Chairman of OBPU, DIG Azubuko Joel Udah Esq (rtd), described the event as a “Thank You Rally of Appreciation” for the governor’s giant strides in different parts of the state.
The retired top senior police officer and renowned lawyer commended Otti for projects such as the reconstruction of the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Road, Aba; the establishment of the Abia Industrial Park; the proposed Abia International Airport; and the rehabilitation of key roads in the Old Bende axis.
Udah appealed for the inclusion of rural and agrarian roads in Bende and neighbouring communities of Ebonyi State to enhance agricultural productivity and ease movement of goods and people.
He expressed delight that Abia State is now experiencing a new dawn marked by purposeful leadership and visible development under Governor Alex Otti’s administration.
He assured the governor of Old Bende’s continued support and declared that his achievements had already earned him a second term in 2027.
Chairman of the Old Bende Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Nzenwata Mbakwe, described Otti as “a visionary leader who has restored hope and confidence in governance.”
The Special Guest of Honour and Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, hailed Otti as “a special gift to Abia State,” praising his achievements in infrastructure, education, health, and security.
He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the handover of several federal roads to Abia State Government for reconstruction in recognition of Otti’s commitment to quality infrastructure delivery, adding that the contractor handling the Aba–Port Harcourt section of the Expressway had returned to site, with Governor Otti authorized to supervise the project’s completion.
Other dignitaries, including Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Hon. Alex Ikwechegh (Onyeocha na Aba), HRM Eze Linus Nto’o Mba (Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers), Chief Jerry O. Kalu (Osimiri), Dr. M. O. Okoro (Vote for Jesus) and Chief Chima Anyaso, commended Governor Otti for his outstanding performance across all sectors and pledged total support for his re-election in 2027.
Responding, Governor Otti expressed appreciation for the massive turnout and the show of solidarity from the people of Old Bende.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructural and institutional reforms across the state.
He directed the Commissioner for Works to immediately assess the key rural and agrarian roads including Bende–Igbere–Ozuitem–Akaeze Road, Alayi–Item–Nkporo Road, Umuhu–Isiegbu Road and Umuchieze–Uturu roads among others for reconstruction.
The event also featured a presentation of an Award of Appreciation to Prof. Nnenna Otti, INEC Returning Officer in the 2023 Abia State governorship election, for her integrity and professionalism.
The colourful ceremony ended in an atmosphere of joy, music and renewed optimism as the people of Old Bende reaffirmed their unity and support for Governor Alex Otti’s vision of a new and prosperous Abia State.
At the end, several personalities, including Chief Paulinus Okoye, Hon. Harrison Chima, Prince Francis Ibisi, Mrs. Rose Eke Okorie, Hon. Chika Isiolu, Hon. Obasi King, Rev. Samuel Onuoha Ochiogo and Apostle Given Agbai described the event as well deserved in a chat with newsmen, stressing that the governor has transformed Abia State within two and a half years. Excerpts.
Chief Paulinus Okoye
(Financial Secretary, Old Bende Progressive Union, Abia South Zone)
Our reason for organizing the grand civic reception in honour of Governor Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) is obvious. It is to thank him for the tremendous works he has done in Abia State within two and half years in office and to reassure him of our unwavering support. His achievements are unprecedented in the annals of Abia State. He has touched all the sectors of the state economy, which the past governors of the state never did throughout their 24 years in office. If I begin to enumerate his achievements so far in different parts of the state, time may fail us because what we have witnessed in the state since he mounted the saddle is unprecedented. It is no propaganda. And one good thing about him is that he has a listening ear. So we are happy and proud of him. I call on all Abians to sustain their support for him and re-elect him in 2027. Being in opposition would not augur well for the state. We have suffered for a very long time. But today, we have good governance in the state. So everybody has to align himself or herself with the moving train so that he would do more for us.
Hon. Harrison Chima
(Youth President, Old Bende Progressive Union, Abia South Zone)
We gathered here today to give honour to whom honour is due. We, the people of Old Bende organized the grand civic reception to thank the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti for his good works in different parts of the state.
According to an Igbo adage “Ekene Onye akidi, ya agwota ozo”. So by appreciating a man who has done so well in the state within a very short time in office, the people of Old Bende have shown themselves as a humble, loyal, dependable and grateful people. And what we have done today would no doubt ginger the Governor to do more. In 2002, we honoured Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (MON) here in Aba. But this one is unique because Dr. Alex Otti has surpassed all that his predecessors put together did throughout their 24 years administration of the state. Abia State has not had it so good like this before. Indeed, Old Bende people are proud of Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s administration and remarkable achievements. He is our brother and in the spirit of our slogan, “Onye aghala Nwanne ya, Umunna bu ike”, we are solidly behind him and we are very sure that he will not abandon us. Governor Alex Chioma Otti has done so well. “Ihe agbala aka, anaghi eji enyo ele ya”. I do not think there is any right thinking person in the state that would not vote for him come 2027. This is the first time in the annals of Abia State that a governor is working simultaneously across all the three senatorial zones. The era of “Onye Aba ga aru Aba” is over. He has changed the narrative. He is not discriminatory and has no time for frivolities and clannish sentiments. That is why his footprints are littered across the state. That is what is called good governance. I salute him for not giving up on his quest to liberate Abia State from maladministration and backwardness. His second term is a fait accompli. I call on all Abians of voting age to get their PVC ready to re-elect him in 2027.
Prince Francis Okorie Ibisi
I am from Amaekpu Ohafia. Today is a great day for the people of Old Bende and Abia State at large. For the past 24 years that PDP governed Abia State, the state was completely dead. But today, less than two years of Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s administration, Abia State has been transformed to enviable height and it has reclaimed its rightful position as truly the number one state in Nigeria. In fact, I am so happy with the performance of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti and his team. We have not seen such a thing before in the state. We, the people of Old Bende are so grateful and wish him more years of dynamic and pragmatic leadership of the state. For 24 years, Abia was in decline, but Otti has revived it in less than two years. We will return him to Government House in 2027.
Mrs. Rose Eke Okorie
We are proud of our amiable and performing Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti (OFR). You can see the massive turnout of people from different parts of the state and beyond. It is an eloquent testimony that the people are happy with his good works in the state. He has done so well within a short time in office and as the saying goes, the reward for good work is more work, and we will re-elect him in 2027. I urge all Abians to sustain their unwavering support for his administration and get their PVC ready.
Hon. Chika Okeke Isiolu (Commandant General, Neighbourhood Action Squad, Nigeria)
Today is a great day. The grand civic reception organized by the people of Old Bende in honour of Governor Alex Otti is well deserved. He has done so well within a very short time in office. So, we are celebrating him for his wonderful works in Abia State. Governor Otti is God-sent. He has delivered Abia from years of maladministration. There is no vacancy in Government House, Umuahia, come 2027. So, I urge all Abians to sustain their support for his administration because he is going to do far more exceeding things in the state.
Hon. Amb. Obasi King
(Coordinator, Dr. Alex Otti Ambassadors, Aba North)
I led our group to Enyimba International Stadium, Aba to appreciate the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti for his good works in Abia State and to also assure him of our unflinching support. We have been working tirelessly to mobilize overwhelming support for his administration as well as spreading adequate information about his good works in every nook and cranny of the state. There is no vacancy in Government House, Umuahia come 2027. No other person would be there except him. He has changed the narrative in Abia State and touched all the sectors of the state economy such as health, education, infrastructure, security, prompt payment of workers salary among others. I urge every Abian of voting age to get his or her PVC ready for 2027 election because it is our power to re-elect him to continue his good works in the state.
Rev. Amb. Samuel Onuoha Ochiogo
(Coordinator, Dr. Alex Otti Ambassadors Aba South)
Dr. Alex Otti is a visionary leader and a man of his words. In 2023, he said that if he was giving the mandate to govern Abia State that he would transform the state to enviable height. And today he has done that to the admiration of all and sundry. I call on all Abians to sustain their support for his administration. He is our sole candidate in 2027 and hope for a better Abia State. We
will re-elect him.
Apostle Amb. Given Agbai
The grand civic reception in honour of our God-sent Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti is well-deserved. He has made us proud within a short time in office. If you look at Aba today, you would know that Aba is no longer what it used to be. He has transformed the legendary Enyimba City and restored it to its former glory. He has reconstructed the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Road, Ohanku Road and many other roads in Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia, Arochukwu and other parts of the state. Security, health, education and other sectors of the state are not left out. Even as we speak now, I have withdrawn all my children from private school to government school because he has revived and restored confidence in public schools across the state. Dr. Alex Otti is going back in 2027. Abia State has been transformed. Public schools have been revived, roads reconstructed, and confidence restored. Dr. Alex Otti has changed the story of Abia State.
