UMUAHIA – A citizens’ group, The Abia Patriots (TAP), has criticised the Abia State All Progressives Congress for demanding that Governor Alex Otti publicly endorse President Bola Tinubu, describing the call as “endorsement-seeking theatrics” that shows panic ahead of 2027.
In a statement on Friday signed by its Secretary General, Mazi Adindu Madumere, TAP faulted APC’s Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, over claims that the ruling party had the structure to “deliver Abia”.
“If APC truly commands 32 governors and federal power, why the obsession with one Labour Party state?” Madumere asked. “A ruling party should be consolidating, not writing epistles begging an opposition governor for loyalty. That anxiety betrays insecurity, not strength.”
He said Abians elected Otti “to fix roads, pay salaries, clear pension arrears, sanitize Aba and improve security,” adding that projects like Port Harcourt Road and Cemetery–Nkwo Ngwa Road were ongoing.
“Soludo is free to declare for Tinubu in Anambra; that is his calculation. Otti owes Abians performance, not compulsory endorsements. Democracy demands results, not praise-singing,” he said.
TAP also dismissed APC’s complaint that Otti sent aides to receive the “Renewed Hope National Media Tour” instead of appearing personally.
“Hosting is a courtesy, not a constitutional duty. Abians are more interested in completed projects than in who clapped at ribbon-cutting,” Madumere said.
On claims that Otti was “stealing Tinubu’s glory” over federal projects, he said: “Every state receives federal allocations and infrastructure. Those are constitutional entitlements, not personal gifts. Propaganda will not fill potholes or pay pensioners.”
The group advised the Abia APC to resolve its internal crises instead of “chasing headlines”.
“Your party in Abia is publicly divided over control and 2027 tickets. That internal wrangling threatens your quest to oppose Otti’s reelection, not his silence on Tinubu,” Madumere said.
He added: “Governor Otti’s loyalty is to the people of Abia who voted him. He will not be bullied into political theatre. Come 2027, Abians will vote based on delivery, not on who shouted ‘Tinubu’ loudest in 2026.”
Efforts to reach Mr. Aguoru for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
