A respected political figure and elder statesman, Professor A.C.B. Agbazuere, has thrown his weight behind the administration of Alex Otti, openly endorsing the governor for a second tenure ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Abia State.
I Cannot Continue To Be In Another Party And Be Saying You Are Doing Well — Agbazuere Says as He Joins Governor Alex Otti’s Team
A former Commissioner for Information in Abia State, former Chief of Staff and the PDP house of representatives candidate for Isialangwa North/South Federal Constituency, Professor A.C.B. Agbazuere has joined the new Abia team and offered to work for the 2027 re-election campaign of Governor Alex Otti to make his landslide victory seamless.
Professor Agbazuere was speaking on Wednesday, May 20, when he paid a solidarity visit to Governor Alex Otti in his office alongside members of his Owie Structure.
The Professor of Laws in his own words said, “Your Excellency, our visit is very simple. I also know that given the kind of wisdom that you possess, you know that a day like this would come.
“So, Your Excellency, our mission is that I felt, and I still feel, that I am not going to allow you to do this campaign alone.
“After all, if somebody even looks at those who are aspiring to become Governor, they can’t match you.
“If I am with you, it’s 100%. If I’m not with you, it’s also 100%. I cannot continue to be in another party and be saying that you are doing very well, I have to be with you. That’s the way I operate. I’m that kind of person.
“The important thing is that now, it will be a teamwork. And, it appears to me, very clearly, that the hand of God is on you and the journey this time will be simpler,” Prof. Agbazuere stated.
The former Information boss, who described the Governor as a good striker, said that he decided to visit alongside a few members of his Owie Structure and revealed that they have over 8,000 members of the structure.
“So for me, I said, if you have a very good striker, and you want your team to win, there should be no need to change that striker.
“I could have come to see you alone, but I said no. And I thank the Chief of Staff. He is greatly representing. So, I said, okay, let me call these people (Owie Structure).
“I could have come alone. I called them (Owie Structure ) to follow me. We have over 8,000 people. During my elections, I had over 13,580 votes. Apart from what happens in Nigerian politics.
“So, apart from my own feelings and impressions, people have also been on me. Saying that, this man is doing so well. And I also reviewed what they were saying, alongside my own impressions.
“At a point I decided that this should not be a situation where a person would be operating from afar,” Prof. Agbazuere stated.
Professor Agbazuere said that Governor Otti has performed exceptionally well in various sectors of the economy, saying that he cannot begin to reel out all that the Governor has done so far.
“It’s only someone who wants to do politics that would not appreciate good governance.
“At my level, I say what I see. When I say it, it is the way I say it. If someone who does not want to play politics comes into Umuahia for example, from FMC come down, you even see the pedestrian divide that you (Gov. Otti) created to make sure that vehicles will not kill those who don’t have cars, who are walking on the road.
“And of course, you have widened that road. When you move down, get to Okpara Square. You promised that you were going to make that road (Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard) six lanes.
And in less than two years of your administration, you did it.
“After doing it from Okpara Square to the Tower, you didn’t stop. You went beyond there. You got to the Imo River (Onu Imo). And if one sees that pace, that speed, and looks at the Port Harcourt Road within a very short time.
“Look at the former SSG’s office. That area has been transformed into something else. Then the Michael Okpara Auditorium .
“I said, this man who has done this much, and has not also failed me in governance.
“I want to pause and congratulate you on your achievements so far. I don’t want to start bothering myself to start reeling all of them out. If we are not convinced, we will not come,” Prof. Agbazuere declared.
Responding, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, while welcoming Professor Agbazuere, appreciated his acknowledgement of the modest achievements of the administration so far, and assured that more projects are in the offing for the people of the State.
According to the Governor, “We are happy that the impact has been felt, because that’s what governance is about. If you are not impactful, then it means you are not doing anything.
“You can pretend to be working hard, but the result is what is most important.
“So, I want to thank you and reassure you that we will continue, we will not remove our feet from the throttle, if anything, we will begin to run faster.
“And the simple reason is that, when we started, there were so many impediments, which we had to wade through to get to where we are, and we can as well say that we have stabilised,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti thanked Professor Agbazuere for his decision to join him in the electioneering campaigns and directed the Chief of Staff to the Governor to arrange for his proper registration into the Labour while assuring him that he would be treated equally in the Party.
“I want to thank you (Agbazuere & his Owie Structure) for the offer to be part of the campaign and to be members of our party.
“I want to welcome you. And I know that the Chief of Staff will arrange for proper registration.
“Primaries are going to come in one week or so. And it would be nice if your registration can happen and you will be part of the primaries. Even though what we have done was to sit down and have some consensus so that we run away from rancorous and combustible primaries that we see in some of the parties today.
So, we are very happy to receive you and you can be sure that our party being what it is, we don’t have any discrimination between new members and old members.
“And that is one virtue that we have. So, the day you join, you will enjoy equal rights with everybody.
It’s a workers’ party.
That’s why we insisted on remaining in the party, which has paid off today because some of the people that decamped and recamped and discamped, some of them are struggling today,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribeole, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, and Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu were present during the visit.
The endorsement marks another significant boost for Governor Otti’s growing political support base as influential stakeholders across party lines continue to commend his leadership style, infrastructural reforms, and governance approach in the state.
Professor Agbazuere’s decision to align with what many now describe as the “New Abia Winning Team” reflects the increasing confidence in the governor’s developmental agenda.
Speaking during the endorsement, Professor Agbazuere reportedly praised Governor Otti’s commitment to rebuilding Abia State through road infrastructure, economic reforms, improved public services, and transparent governance. According to him, the governor has demonstrated uncommon dedication toward transforming the state and restoring public trust in leadership.
Political observers believe the endorsement further strengthens Governor Otti’s political standing as several groups, stakeholders, traditional rulers, and political leaders have recently expressed support for his continuity in office beyond 2027. Recent reports show that traditional rulers, political stakeholders, and even opposition figures have publicly backed the governor’s re-election bid, citing visible developmental strides across the state.
Professor Agbazuere’s move is also being viewed as a strategic political realignment that could influence more leaders and supporters to identify with Governor Otti’s administration ahead of future political activities in Abia State.
Since assuming office, Governor Otti has continued to receive commendations from different quarters over projects in infrastructure, governance reforms, healthcare, and economic revitalization. Several political leaders and organizations have argued that the governor deserves continuity to consolidate on the gains recorded so far.
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With the 2027 political atmosphere gradually taking shape, endorsements such as this are expected to play a key role in shaping alliances and strengthening political structures across Abia State.
