2027 ‘ll be smoother, I can assure you – Otti declares

28 December 2025

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, has unequivocally stated that his re-election come 2027 will be an easy ride, even as he assured Abians and residents that the infrastructural development witnessed in the State so far is a tip of the iceberg given what is in stock in the next four to eight years.

Gov. Oti made the categorical declaration on Friday at the 2025 Aro Day celebration in Arochukwu, while delivering his address as Guest of Honour. The Governor, who came to the occasion in the company of the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, thanked those that appreciate what his administration is doing, noting that they are merely an instrument in the hand of God.

He said: “I thank everyone celebrating what God is doing in this place. We are just an instrument being used by God. Just as Americans would say: you ain’t seen nothing yet.

“This is just 30 months and we still have a lot to do. 2027 is still far away and people have started killing themselves – we are not so worried about 2027 because we have a mandate to deliver to our people in four years. We’ve done 30 months so we still have a long way to go and just like it happened in 2023, 2027 will be smoother I can assure you.

“Why am I confident? I’m confident because in 2023 we were selling promises but now there are one or two things we can point to but one thing I can take home is that I have the full support of everybody here. All the people who were doubting before I’m sure they can’t doubt anymore.”

Aro Day is a yearly socio-cultural gathering of sons and daughters of Arochukwu from all locations within and outside the country to evaluate its past and reposition its future for greater development and wellbeing.

Aro Day 2025 was unique as it celebrated the 100 years of Omu Aro.
Marking the centenary, the traditional Ruler of the Aro Kingdom, Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji, stated that Omu Aro is the traditional Coat of Arms and identity of the Aro people designed in 1925.

Omu Aro represents order, moral balance, the authority of women, and the stabilising force of tradition in Aro society. It reminds the kingdom that its strength has always rested on shared responsibility—men and women, elders and youths, past and present.

Eze Oji noted that it was in the spirit of the centenary, that honours were conferred on 100 Heroes and Heroins who have brought glory to the Arochukwu Kingdom. “These Aro Icons have carried our banner high,” he remarked.

On the sidelines, the Chairman of the 2025 Aro Day celebration, Mr Victor Ike Okoronkwo, in an interview highlighted the essence of the annual event, stating that it is the coming together of Aro sons and daughters all over the world to assess the past and plan for the future, even as they seek peace and unity in order to achieve significant progress for the community.

Okoronkwo, who is the CEO of Aiteo Group, a leading oil and gas firm in Africa, said that the 2025 celebration was expanded to include sporting and educational (STEM) programmes for the youths and honouring of 100 Heroes and Heroins who have contributed to the development and visibility of the Aro Kingdom. He paid glowing tributes to the Royal Highness, Eze Eberechi Oji and the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Oti, for their quality and result-oriented leadership, praying for sustained God’s wisdom and guidance.

Eminent Aro sons, daughters and friends graced the occasion, even as some of them delivered goodwill messages. They include; Prof. Aruma Otteh, former DG, Securities and Exchange Commission, VP World Bank and AfDB, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, formerly representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Constituency, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, former Executive Secretary, NEITI, PG Nzuko Aro Worldwide, Mazi Dozie Udensi, DIG (rtd) Ivy Okoronkwo, and the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who was the special guest of honour.