Abia State traders and members of the business community have declared their support for Governor Alex Otti and endorsed his expected re-election bid in 2027, amid moves by an opposition coalition to unseat him.
The endorsement was announced by the President-General of the Abia State Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, who said traders across the state were satisfied with the direction of governance under Otti’s administration and would mobilise support for its continuation.
Udeigbo spoke against the backdrop of a recent meeting of an opposition coalition led by former governor and senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, under the platform of the Forum of Former Executive, National and State Legislative Members. The coalition, which includes former governors Theodore Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu, reportedly met at Kalu’s country home in Umuahia, where it reaffirmed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), while vowing to unseat Governor Otti in 2027.
In a statement issued on Friday, January 16, 2026, Udeigbo dismissed the coalition’s move, urging the governor to remain focused on governance and ongoing reforms.
He said Abians had experienced what he described as “visible improvements” in less than three years of the current administration and were unwilling to return to what he termed years of poor governance.
“Abia traders and the business community are genuinely pleased with the administration of Governor Alex Otti and the hope it has restored after many years of mismanagement,” Udeigbo said.
He added that while political association and free speech were constitutional rights, any attempt to derail what he called the state’s “transformational agenda” would be resisted through democratic means.
According to him, traders and business owners were prepared to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in 2027 to protect what they see as progress in the state.
Udeigbo concluded by assuring Governor Otti of the continued support of traders, business leaders and other stakeholders across Abia State, describing the administration as people-driven and reform-oriented.
