Former governors, lawmakers, and political appointees who served in Abia State between 1999 and 2023 have announced plans to institute legal action against Governor Alex Otti over his continued operation from a private residence.
The group made the decision during its second meeting held at the residence of former governor Theodore Orji. In a communiqué released after the meeting, the politicians said the proposed lawsuit is aimed at compelling Governor Otti to relocate official government activities to the Government House in Umuahia.
According to the communiqué, the group expressed concern that the governor is still conducting state affairs from his personal home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, a situation they described as unacceptable.
The meeting was attended by several prominent political figures, including former governors Orji Uzor Kalu, Theodore Orji, and Okezie Ikpeazu, among others. The communiqué, which was read by former Abia State media aide Victor Ike Oye, stressed that the governor should immediately begin operating from the official Government House.
In addition to the planned legal action, the group declared its readiness to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They also expressed appreciation to the President for appointing former Abia governor Okezie Ikpeazu as an ambassador.
Meanwhile, the senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has insisted that Governor Otti will be removed from office in the 2027 governorship election. Speaking at a political gathering, Kalu described Otti as a one-term governor and accused him of lacking political experience.
Kalu further claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is fully prepared to take over Abia State, vowing to embark on door-to-door campaigns across the state to ensure Otti’s defeat.
He dismissed the governor’s earlier remarks about political opponents, stating that Abia people would unite to vote out the current administration and would not tolerate electoral manipulation.