The Association of Premier Mayors (Former Local Government Mayors) of Abia State has formally declared its total and uncompromising support for the 2027 re-election bid of Governor Alex Chioma Otti.
The high-powered political gathering, comprising former Local Government Chairmen appointed by the Governor at the inception of his administration, convened on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Ovu-Nwambuisi in Agbaragwu, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
The strategic session was presided over by the Interim Chairman of the Association, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele, Former Abia ALGON Chairman and Premier Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South LGA, who also currently serves as a Member of the Governing Council of Abia State University (ABSU).
Speaking after the closed-door deliberations, Dr. Elele revealed that the Premier Mayors were reorganizing to reinforce and sustain the political and developmental foundation laid by the Otti administration.
“We are initiating the organisation of Premier Mayors. Governor Alex Otti who is the most performing Governor in Abia State choose specific people at the beginning of his government. He choose this people because of their credibility, the quality of their education, and the level of their achievements in life to lay the foundation of Abia State Local Government,” he stated.
He emphasized that even though they no longer hold office as Mayors, they remain grassroots political figures with influence, networks, and responsibility toward the state.
“We still have a stake in Abia State, because this is our state and the Governor is ours. We and the Governor built up the foundation with which the state is moving forward,” he said.
Dr. Elele stressed that the coalition has returned to strengthen support for Governor Otti’s second term bid.
“So we’re getting together to put ourselves in order, so we can keep continuing supporting our principal, Governor Alex Otti, Chioma ndị Abia and that’s why we gathered together,” he added
He further stated that the association would remain active beyond 2027, working to ensure that the dividends of governance penetrate deeply across all wards.
“This Association, the Association of Premier Mayors of Abia State will continue from now, until God decides it will be dissolved. We’ll stay to help make Dr. Alex Otti the Governor for the second term. That’s already written by God and we as an association is just going to put a stamp on it as his people he choose to lay the foundation with.”
“We will work together to make him Governor again… Even if Alex Otti has finished governing for eight (8) years. We’ll work with the people to make sure the benefits of this government get to our people even in the local wards. That’s our goal,” he declared.
Dr. Elele highlighted the strength and strategic value the Premier Mayors still possess, describing each former Mayor as a leader with a retained political base.
“Every Mayor you see here had created a group of followers at the time they were in office. The people didn’t runaway… all we need to do is to bring them together so we can keep doing the good works that Governor Alex Otti is doing… and help this people get the benefits of the democracy they worked for,” he said.
He also described detractors of the Otti administration as inconsequential, noting that minor criticisms cannot weaken a government so solidly rooted.
“Don’t worry about little people pecking. When there’s a Hawk flying, there are always little birds pecking.”
He dramatically emphasized the political supremacy and stability of Governor Otti using a powerful analogy:
He said Dr. Alex Otti is like a whole leg of a cow while oppositions are like ants and no matter what an ant does to the leg of a cow, the leg of the cow can’t decay or eaten off.
The event was attended by prominent former Mayors who now hold strategic roles in government, including: Hon. Uche Wogu, Premier Mayor of Aba South LGA, now Aba Area Coordinator, Abia State Harmonized Task Force; Dr. Eric Egwuibe, Premier Mayor of Obingwa, now Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Planning; Hon. Osinachi Nwaka, Premier Mayor of Ikwuano, now Director-General, Abia State Ministry of Finance Incorporated; Chief Joe Ezearu, Premier Mayor of Arochukwu, now Member, Abia State Local Government Service Commission; Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Nwagbara, Premier Mayor of Ukwa East, now Member, Abia State Local Government Service Commission.
Also present are Hon. Chief Emeka Nosike Ihesiaba, Premier Mayor of Ugwunagbo LGA; Air Vice Marshal Chinwendu Onyike (rtd), Premier Mayor of Isuikwuato LGA; Hon. Ndubuisi Ike, Premier Mayor of Umunneochi LGA; Hon. Obike Ejikeme Nnochiri, Premier Mayor of Umuahia South LGA; and Hon. Newman Azu, Premier Mayor of Ukwa West
The Association of Premier Mayors vowed to immediately activate political mobilization across Abia’s 17 Local Government Areas, pledging steadfast loyalty and grassroots reinforcement for the continuation of Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s administration beyond 2027.
