OTTI AND UKWA LA NGWA REPEATED RECEPTIONS: Deceit and the Quest for Validation~By Uchenna Nwabuisi
Yesterday, 30th January 2025, a Ukwa La Ngwa group operating under the banner of the Ngwa Social Club organised a reception for Governor Alex Otti at Enyimba Stadium, Aba.
This event makes it about the fifth reception organised for Governor Otti since 2023, all aimed at validating his Ngwa identity.
Ironically, Governor Otti has openly admitted years ago and in recent times that he is Aro by origin, though born and resident in Umuehim, Isi Ala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
Beyond words, Otti has clearly demonstrated where he truly identifies with. On 24th December 2025, he locked the gate of his makeshift Umuehim Government House and relocated to Arochukwu his ancestral home , where he remained till the end of the year.
As aptly stated by our revered Imo State musician, the late Dr. Sir Warrior, in one of his songs that “We do not introduce brothers, we only introduce friends.”.
We Nde Ngwa know who our brother is, but when they keep struggling to introduce and reintroduce him to us as onye Ngwa, something is definitely amiss.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with organising repeated receptions for a Governor who resides in Umuehim or Aba. However, it is entirely wrong to describe him as an “illustrious son” of Ngwa land when he has publicly disassociated his ancestral origin from Ngwa land.
It is also on record that Ukwa La Ngwa groups have reportedly spent over N600 million on these repeated receptions and wasting resources that would have been better invested in the development of our communities.
Governor Otti has never demonstrated he is Ngwa, going by the lack of basic infrastructure in and around Nvosi as no major road is being constructed after three years except the one being handled by World bank/ RAAMP. The local market in his claimed village Umuehim was built through self efforts and contributions of village women of Umuehim Nvosi.
Many communities in Nvosi remain in total darkness, with no electricity supply. Ironically, while the entire community is in darkness, the Governor enjoys a dedicated 33KVA power line from Aba Power traversing about 18 communities, serving only his compound. The only road in Isi Ala Ngwa South leading to his acclaimed village, Umuehim, Umuikaa / Umuene road, which was flagged off in November 2023, remains a death trap till today.
Conversely, Governor Otti has quietly initiated and executed over 20 road projects in Arochukwu, the major one is the link road from Abam to Arochukwu, among other strategic roads . No wonder it was difficult for the Governor to mention any impactful project executed in Ukwa la Ngwa after three years in office.
Why is Otti not announcing his projects at Arochukwu? Why is Arochukwu Area Council headquarters wearing a new look while those from his supposed “Ngwa land” are at different stages of despair? Does this not expose some sinister intention?
How many top government officials, including top rated commissioner portfolios are from Ngwa enclave? If you are not “aro Ngwa”, nothing gets to you.
Ukwa La Ngwa people are not fools and should never be treated as such. What we witnessed yesterday at Enyimba Stadium was the same old faces, same political clique that has been behind previous receptions. These group of persons are known for running around every government in power just for a share from the plate of porridge and their own selfish political preservation.
Factually, Ukwa La Ngwa people are knowledgeable enough to identify their own. After three years in office, no one can point to two major impactful projects executed by Governor Otti across the nine Ukwa La Ngwa local governments, outside the Port Harcourt Road.
We understand where the pain lies and will never be deceived by faction of labour party led by Governor otti seeking political validation.
This reality was evident yesterday when the Governor addressed a half-filled stadium,
largely because mobilisation payments had expired before his arrival. We are also aware of the subtle threats issued to local government workers and traditional rulers (Ndi Eze) who were compelled to attend.
Today in Abia State, we remember the number of Ukwa La Ngwa sons and daughters who have been sacked, marginalised, or victimised simply because of their origin or because they served previous administrations.
The 15, 000 workers sacked at inception of this government largely was against Ngwa youths and his then, commissioner for Finance, Mike Akpara alluded to it that “a Daniel has come to judgment”. Judgment Against which people? Ngwa people, of course.
We remember how Ukwa West Local Government was left without a single Permanent Secretary and how many have been punished for political neutrality.
The true Ukwa La Ngwa people have already passed their message by distancing themselves from the charade of receptions and endorsements held yesterday. They have made it clear that the mistakes of 2023 will be corrected in 2027.
Ukwa La Ngwa acknowledge their mistakes and have vowed never to be used again
Uchenna Nwabuisi writes from
Ukwa La Ngwa Union
Lagos
