From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

In what appears like heralding the re-election campaign of Governor Alex Otti, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised Abians against “changing a winning horse” in 2027.

Chief Obasanjo, who was in Abia to inaugurate the 46. 36 kilometre Umuahia – Uzuakoli – Akara – Alayi – Abiriba Highway, reconstructed by Governor Alex Otti led Government on Friday, April 11, 2025, described Governor Otti as a performer and an exemplary leader who has impacted the lives of his people positively.

The road inauguration took place at the Unity Church, Uzuakoli axis in Bende local government area. The road cut across the four local governmenrs of Umuahia North, Bende, Isuikwuato and Ohafia.

Chief Obasanjo recalled how terrible the road was, especially the last time he used it to visit Abiriba and described Governor Otti as a miracle worker.

“This road you are all talking about, I traveled on it to Abiriba. It was hellish, and when I was told that the road you have done will get me from Umuahia to Abiriba in 35 minutes, I said this man called Alex Otti is a miracle worker,” the former Nigeria leader said.

“You (Gov. Otti) are a man of your word, a goal-getter, a performer. You are a man who says no to what is bad and yes to what is good. You are an example of a leader.

(Abia people) “You said you have had leaders before, but one thing you must know is that good leaders don’t flock and when you get a good leader, like you have got in Dr Alex Otti, you must maximise good use of him,” he added.

While commending Governor Otti for his efforts in giving Abia a face-lift, Chief Obasanjo said that what Gov. Otti is doing in Abia now was a proof that whatever bad situation being witnessed in the country today could be altered for good tomorrow. 

“I am a witness to what you are doing and urge you to keep doing what you are doing. If you look hard and wide, you will see that this governor does not lack a good team.

“Of course, this is a proof that whatever bad situation we are seeing today, can be made good tomorrow. All we need to do is to make sure that at every level, we must have the right leaders, with the right team to work with,” he noted.

Urging Abians to return Dr. Otti to office come 2027, Chief Obasanjo said: “For me, a political party is just a platform. What matters is the quality of the man and the quality of Alex Otti is a good quality.

“Well, when the time comes for elections, my advice to the people of Abia State is, don’t change a winning horse.”

Delivering his address at the occasion, Governor Otti said that the event is an eloquent testimony of his resolve to be doing things differently, noting that completion of the road would unleash major economic and social benefits on the state and her people.

“Today’s commissioning ceremony is an eloquent testimony to our resolve to doing things differently as a government. This administration has zero tolerance for shoddy jobs or the kick-back culture that enables them. 

“By completing this project, we have not just shortened travel time for drivers and commuters coming into Umuahia to communities within Ohafia, Bende, isuikwuato and Umuahia North.

“We have also cut down the risks of accidents, security threats and transport cost for scores of thousands of individuals and families.

“Anyone living and doing business along this axis can now travel safely from Umuahia and other urban centres within and outside the State at anytime of the day or night unafraid of harassment by criminal elements who took advantage of the bad state of the road in the past to wreck havoc on innocent travelers,” he said. 

The Governor further said that the completion of the road guarantees speedy and safe transportation of agro produce from various communities to the urban centres and would reduce the cost of food items while empowering farmers economically. 

According to him, the road would improve greatly, the wholesale economic potential of the area by making farming attractive to a new generation of young people, support job creation and deal a deadly blow to the menace of poverty in many communities. 

“By rebuilding strategic public infrastructure such as this, we are actively eliminating the barriers that stunted the productivity of our people for decades. Never again will farmers suffer unavoidable loses.” the Governor said, and announced the renaming of the road after the late Insurance Guru and a former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, late Professor Joe Irukwu (SAN), who is from that axis. The road is now known as Joe Irukwu Way.

In their separate speeches, the Senator representing Abia South, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha and Senator Chris Adighije affirmed that the road has remained a nightmare for the people before the intervention of Governor Alex Otti. They commended the Governor for fixing the road, saying that he has done what the people expect of him.

The member representing Bende South State Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi, Mayor of Isuikwuato, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke, Chief David Ogba Onuoha and Dr. Johnson Chukwu thanked Governor Otti for the quality of the road he built for the people and described it as a signature project.

They said that the Governor has transformed the State and made the people proud, adding that the road would impact greatly on the economic lives of the people.

Contributing, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu and the President, Cooperatives Union Abia State, Chief Chukwuma Azodo, commended the Governor for his efforts in fixing the road, saying that it would enhance driving experience and reduce regular visit to mechanics by transporters and other motorists. They equally highlighted the economic importance of the road.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti said that the 46.36 kilometres being commissioned was divided into sections 1 and 2 in order to ensure quick delivery.

He said that the reconstruction of the road is one of Governor Otti’s unwavering commitment to providing access road to rural areas and connecting them to urban communities. He advised benefiting communities to own and protect the road.

The occasion was witnessed by so many elected officials at the Federal and State levels, stakeholders, Mayors and traditional rulers from the four benefitting local governments, as well as the clergy and top government officials.