APPRAISAL OF GOV. ALEX OTTI 3RD YEAR IN OFFICE: THE VERDICT OF NDI ABIA

By Hon Ginger Onwusibe
A Public policy Analyst & Member House of Rep, Isiala Ngwa North/ South Federal Constituency Abuja

As a prelude to the eventful, impactful and transformational third year anniversary of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, in office which climaxed on Friday, May 29, 2026, the state witnessed a marathon commissioning of completed projects and the kickoff of new ones across the three Senatorial Districts of the state.

The exercise marked with fanfare was led by the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti. He was accompanied by federal and state lawmakers from the state, members of his executive council, chieftains of the state Labour Party (LP), stakeholders and supporters of the Otti led administration.

At every flagstop during the event, Governor Alex Otti and his entourage were received by a jubilant crowd showering praises on his uncommon milestones in the development of the state.

A critical appraisal of the past thirty six (36) months in office of Governor Alex Otti will prove whether the thunderous applause is justified or not. A visionary, pragmatic and altruistic leader, the Abia State governor from the onset had a mental picture of the New Abia of his, our dream, hence the fast pace at which he is presiding over affairs of the state. Three years on in governance of the state, the score card shows that Governor Alex Otti has made huge and indelible turnaround in almost all spheres of the state’s economy. For lack of space, we will x-ray a few sectors.

On road infrastructure, the Dr. Alex Otti government has executed no fewer than 400 projects covering over 800 kilometres across the state. Another 82 road projects measuring over 200 kilometres are ongoing. Evenly distributed, the ones that readily come to mind are Port Harcourt Road, Aba, Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard, Umuahia, the 67 kilometre Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abiriba-Ohafia Road, the dualized 5.95 kilometre Uma Ukpai Way from Abia Tower to Onuimo Bridge, the 11.5 kilometre Nunya-Eluama Ndubuisi Kalu Road, Ohanku Road, Aba and the brand new bridge over Igu River, that is Omenuko bridge. The list is legion.

The Alex Otti administration allocated 15 percent of the annual budget of the state to the health sector because of the importance it attaches to public health care delivery. This has over the past three years engendered the modernization and functionalization of 277 and 120 primary health Centres. Also retrofitted and equipped are the General Hospitals at Arochukwu, Ikwuano, Ohafia ,Okeikpe and Obingwa. On tertiary health care, there is ongoing construction, expansion and remodeling of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Amachara General Hospital, and Abia State Specialist and Diagnostic Centre to bring them to what Governor Alex Otti called the “New Abia Service Standard.”

Like in health, 20 percent of the annual budget is allocated to the education sector. Expectedly, this is making positive impact on tertiary institutions in the state. At Abia University, Uturu, a 5MVA power substation and hostel facilities were recently commissioned by the Governor. Construction work is on top gear on the combined 10, 000 bed hostels for both male and female students, new faculty buildings for Faculties of Law and Agriculture, a university cafeteria and internal roads. Similar infrastructure facelift are simultaneously taking place at Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba and College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu. About 5, 394 teachers have been employed, with additional 4000 on the verge of being engaged, even as school enrollment increased by 150 percent due to the free education policy of the government from Primary to JSS 3.

The gender friendly administration of Governor Alex Otti has unlike what obtained in the past, given women a sense of belonging. More women have been appointed to positions of authority and empowered through specific intervention programmes to set up business clusters. Her Excellency, Mrs. Priscilla Otti built and handed over 35 houses to indigent mothers. The government is also mindful of the well-being of the girl-child. To this end, it launched the Nchedo Sexual Assuault Referral Centre, Aba to take care of the abused girl-child.

If appraisal as defined by the English Dictionary is “A judgement or assessment of the value of something …,” then the smiles on the faces of Abians and residents during the commissioning galore of projects and at the 3rd anniversary celebration, tell of thier approval and appreciation of the exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to the development of the state. Their verdict is that based on Governor Alex Otti’s exceptional performance and good governance, Ndi Abia will renew his mandate in 2027.

A Publication of Ngwafacts Media Services @2026.