Abia@35: Former Ukwa West Mayor, Lauds Otti’s Transformative Drive, Declares Total Support Ahead of 2027 Elections

The former Mayor of Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, Mr Newman Azuh has congratulated the people of the state on the 35th anniversary of its creation, while commending Governor Alex Otti for what he described as a transformative approach to governance and development.

The former mayor made the statement at his country home in Ogwe Asa, Ukwa West, while interacting with newsmen on the achievements of the Otti administration, his tenure as mayor, developments in Ukwa West and the 2027 general elections.

He described his appointment by Governor Otti as the first Mayor of Ukwa West as one of the greatest honours of his life, noting that the opportunity enabled him to return from the diaspora to serve his people.

According to him, the appointment was a positive signal to Abians at home and in the diaspora, adding that he and other pioneer mayors gave their best in the service of the people.

He commended Governor Otti for changing the narrative of leadership and governance in Abia State, saying Abians across the world are proud of the administration’s achievements.

He said the governor’s administration had recorded notable progress in infrastructure, road construction, electricity, healthcare and education.

“Since the inception of this Government under His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, every Abian, both at home and in the diaspora, is really proud of what he has been able to achieve in changing the narrative about leadership and governance in our state,” he said.

On the development of Ukwa West, an oil-producing local government, the former mayor said more attention was still required because of the peculiar challenges associated with oil-producing communities and decades of neglect.

He, however, commended the administration for initiatives through the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), particularly projects in Ukwa West.

He mentioned the construction of the road linking Obehie to Owaza as some of the notable developments in the area, while expressing optimism that more projects would be executed.

“We are very hopeful and positive that, going forward, there will be more things to come to my local government. Because of decades of neglect, there are a lot of facilities and infrastructure that need to be rebuilt,” he said.

Reflecting on his 11-month tenure as mayor, he described the period as challenging but rewarding, saying his administration made visible changes to the local government.

He listed the construction of a new police station, rehabilitation of the High Court and Customary Court, interventions in water supply and efforts to restore electricity in some communities among his administration’s achievements.

According to him, the projects were aimed at improving security, justice, water supply and the general welfare of residents.

“Every Ukwa citizen will testify that we changed the face of our local government for the first time in a long time. If you go there, you will see the physical structures we put in place,” he said.

Speaking on the 2027 elections and his support for Governor Otti’s re-election, the former mayor declared that he was already mobilising support for the governor and the Labour Party at the grassroots.

He said his ward, Ogwe Ward in Ukwa West, remained firmly behind the governor, describing the area as politically secure for Otti’s re-election.

According to him, his political influence extends beyond his immediate community, adding that he and his political associates were actively involved in mobilising support for the Labour Party across the area.

“There is no competition against His Excellency here. This place is secure for four over four,” he declared.

He also disclosed that following the end of his tenure as mayor, he had returned to his private business while remaining active in grassroots political activities.

On his message to Abians as the state marks 35 years since its creation, the former mayor urged residents to remain optimistic about the future of the state under Governor Otti.

Using an aviation analogy, he said Abia was in safe hands under the present administration.

“When you have a good captain on the ship or an aeroplane, you see, it is in automatic mode. I believe strongly that Abia State is in very safe hands and is on autopilot,” he said.

He urged Abians to support the administration, saying the governor’s achievements had raised expectations among the people.
“I tell my fellow Abians to relax because we are cruising at high altitude. There is no stopping us,” he added.