Stakeholders of Abia North, under the aegis of the Alliance for Good Governance, have reiterated their resolve to support, protect and sustain the good governance model of Governor Alex Otti, beyond 2031 as the governor seeks re-election to office.

Presenting the communique issued at the end of the meeting at the Isieke Civic Centre, Ugwueke, in the Bende Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday, was the group’s Secretary and spokesperson, and former Vice-Chancellor of the Abia State University, Uturu, Prof Mkpa Mkpa.

The interest of the group, he said, is to ensure the continuation of good governance in the state, noting that the state has never had it good in terms of good governance as being championed by Otti.

Mkpa said the stakeholders resolved that good governance transcends 2031, while the next generation of Abia leaders will continue to implement the templates that the Otti-led administration has initiated.

The group called for all hands to be on deck to actualise Otti’s second-term bid through voter education, especially those at the grassroots and among the youth, not to succumb to any pressure or any inducement from the opposition.

“We are non-partisan; we are the elders of Abia North, and we are the lone voice, crying in the wilderness, calling on all and sundry not to allow this singular opportunity that this administration has prayed for over the years, which God has graciously granted us, in giving us a person like Governor Alex Otti, to slip through our fingers.

“It was also agreed that it is not enough to merely wish that Governor Alex Otti will remain in office beyond 2027. All hands must be on deck to actualise it.

“We resolved to embark on massive voter education, particularly at the grassroots and among the less literate. We also agreed to mobilise our youths not to succumb to pressure or inducement from other parties and not to sell their votes. If anyone gives them money, they should collect it, but at the right time, vote for Alex Otti and all candidates in his lineup.

“In the past, we fretted, we trembled, we were afraid and intimidated to be identified as Abians. But today, we can raise our shoulders high and say proudly, we are Abians. Continue breaking new ground in the remaining months of your first term and into your second term,” Mkpa said.

In their separate speeches, a former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Ogah, and a renowned economist, banker and former Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings, Urum Eke, said that the stakeholders are mobilising their structures ahead of the forthcoming general elections, adding that Abians will no longer allow mediocrity to occupy positions of trust.

Also speaking, the convener of Alliance for Good Governance, Ebueme Ezikpe, and the meeting host, Johnson Chukwu, said the platform is a structure that ensures that opinion leaders and people with some level of influence come together to shape the direction of governance in the state, noting that Otti’s achievements have, among other numerous things, introduced sanity into governance.