Former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, has publicly defended his support for Abia State Governor Alex Otti, dismissing speculations that his recent alignment with the governor is a veiled move to launch his own 2027 ambition.
Speaking to journalists in Umuahia, Ogah said his decision to support Otti’s administration is rooted in performance, not politics. He praised the governor’s strides in road reconstruction, salary payments, and restoring public confidence in governance, insisting that Abia needs consolidation, not premature campaigns. “When a leader is working, we should say it. My support is for good governance today, not for an office tomorrow,” he stated.
The Abia-born industrialist pushed back on narratives framing him as a shadow contender for the 2027 governorship race. Ogah maintained that constant politicking distracts from development and fuels division, urging political actors across party lines to allow Otti “the space to deliver” in his first term. “Every election cycle we start fighting too early. Abia will not grow that way,” he added.
Ogah, who was the APC governorship candidate in 2019 and has remained a major political figure in Abia North, said his relationship with Otti is not about defection or party realignment. He described it as “statesmanship above partisanship,” arguing that critical infrastructure and investor confidence must take precedence over personal ambition. He noted that his businesses employ Abians across LGAs and that stability is good for the state’s economy.
Reacting to critics who accuse him of positioning himself for relevance, Ogah said he has “served at the federal level and returned home,” and that his focus is now on community impact and job creation through private enterprise. He challenged other leaders to channel their energy into projects that benefit ordinary people, rather than “heating the polity,” two years before the next elections.
Political observers say Ogah’s comments are significant because of his deep structure in Abia North and his influence among business elites. By openly backing Otti, a Labour Party governor, while remaining in the APC, he signals a rare cross-party endorsement that could cool tensions and encourage bipartisan cooperation on key state projects.
Ogah ended by urging Abians to judge leaders by results, not rumours. “If 2027 comes and the people say ‘come,’ we will answer. But for now, the only campaign I’m on is the campaign for a better Abia. Let’s support whoever is doing the work,” he declared.