Umuahia, January 9, 2026 – Former Abia State Governor and current Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has launched a scathing critique of incumbent Governor Alex Otti's administration, claiming he has seen no significant achievements after over two years in office and accusing Otti of merely repainting and rehabilitating roads constructed during his own tenure from 1999 to 2007.
Speaking to journalists at his Igbere country home on Thursday, Kalu stated: "For over two years, I have not seen any remarkable achievement by Alex Otti. What I see mostly is the repainting and rebuilding of roads constructed during my administration. I have not seen major new roads of the scale we undertook." He further alleged that the financial allocations Otti received in his first four months equated to what his administration got over eight years, implying greater efficiency in his own governance despite fewer resources.
Kalu also expressed frustration over personal attacks, saying he has endured insults due to his membership in the All Progressives Congress (APC). "I'm getting insults because I'm in the APC," he lamented, adding that such criticism became unacceptable after he declared his intent to work for the party's success in Abia.
The senator revealed he played a pivotal role in Otti's 2023 election victory on the Labour Party (LP) platform but vowed no repeat support in 2027. "We worked for him to win in 2023, and we are not going to do that again. We'll work for our party," Kalu declared, pledging to deliver Abia for APC and President Bola Tinubu. He alleged Otti visited him late on election night in 2023, implying his intervention influenced the outcome.
These remarks have escalated a brewing political rift, with Otti's camp responding sharply. In statements from his media aides, the governor dismissed Kalu's threats as "pedestrian and ludicrous," denying any request for support and vowing to back an LP candidate to unseat Kalu in his senatorial race. Otti's administration accused Kalu of desperation and deflection from governance issues.
Contrary to Kalu's claims, widespread reports highlight severe infrastructure decay and administrative challenges inherited by Otti in May 2023. Prior administrations, including those post-Kalu, faced criticism for neglect, with key roads like Port Harcourt Road in Aba, Omuma Road, Obohia Road, and Ohanku Road described as notorious death traps for decades—some unrepaired for over 25 years. This allegedly led to business relocations, property abandonments, and economic stagnation in commercial hub Aba.
Otti's government has prioritized rehabilitation, commissioning multiple roads including Port Harcourt Road (handled by Julius Berger), Obohia Road, Ohanku Road, and others like Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia Road. Residents and analysts credit these for restoring access, boosting commerce, and ending longstanding isolation in affected areas.
On salaries, reports confirm civil servants and pensioners faced arrears of up to eight months or more under previous PDP-led governments. Otti committed over N40 billion to clear backlogs, including 11 months at Abia State University, and has maintained regular payments, including 13th-month bonuses.
The exchange underscores deepening divisions ahead of 2027, with Kalu positioning APC as a viable alternative while Otti's LP emphasizes transformative reforms in infrastructure, worker welfare, and security. Observers note Kalu's comments reflect partisan realignment, as APC seeks inroads in the Southeast, traditionally opposition-leaning.
As verbal sparring intensifies, Abia residents await tangible outcomes, with infrastructure revival remaining a key benchmark for the Otti administration amid economic pressures.
