A former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, has called on the public to disregard Governor Alex Otti’s recent comments on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, saying that the people of Abia State remain firmly in support of the President.
Chief Ikoh, who is the Coordinator of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Re-election Mandate in Abia State, described the Governor’s remarks during his monthly media briefing in Umuahia as a personal opinion that does not reflect the aspirations of Abians.
“The Governor’s views are his own constitutional right, but they do not represent the position of the people of Abia State,” Ikoh said in a statement issued on Monday.
The former Minister pointed to what he described as visible Federal Government interventions across the South-East, including the South-East Development Commission, the Port Harcourt, Aba Rail Project, progress on the Eastern Rail Corridor, and the Second Niger Bridge access roads.
He argued that these projects demonstrate the President’s commitment to the region and have earned him goodwill among Abia residents.
Ikoh also recalled that Governor Otti had, during the recent visit of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu to Akwete in Ukwa West Local Government Area, publicly commended the President’s economic reforms.
According to Ikoh, the Governor specifically praised the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange reforms, and the increased federal allocations that have strengthened state finances.
“The First Lady also announced a N2 billion intervention for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Akwete weaving industry,” Ikoh noted, describing it as further evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to Abia’s economic development.
He questioned the consistency of the Governor’s latest remarks, suggesting they contradict his earlier public commendation of the President’s policies.
While acknowledging that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to support any political party or candidate of their choice, Ikoh stressed that Governor Otti’s views should not be misinterpreted as the collective position of the people of Abia State.
He reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, the Ozurumba Movement, and All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders across all 17 Local Government Areas and 184 wards of Abia State remain fully committed to mobilising grassroots support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Ikoh urged the people of Abia State and the South-East to embrace constructive engagement with the Federal Government and support the Renewed Hope Agenda for greater development and lasting national progress.
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