Gov Otti  Dismisses Orji Kalu, Others As Noisemakers

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Governor Alex Otti on Saturday January 10, 2026, dismissed the Coalition of Abia State Past Political Office Holders as “a gathering of noise-making empty barrels.” He also called them  a bunch of relevance-seeking political spent-forces who fluffed numerous chances to move the state forward.

This is as the Abia State Governor urged the people to disregard the recent tantrums and gathering of  the Senator Orji Uzor Kalu-led “Forum of Former Abia State Executive, National and State Legislative Members”

He noted that they are failed politicians who had the opportunity of developing the State, but instead chose to serve their selfish interests.

The Source reports that the coalition which includes three past Governors, their Deputies, National and and State Assembly members, State Executive Council members and other political office holders had, on  Friday January 9, 2026 converged on the Umuahia country home of former Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji, with a reaffirmation of their commitment to the success of the second term ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a communique issued by Victor Ike Oye, the coalition of past leaders  expressed their readiness to work towards the victory of the All Progressive Congress APC and its candidates at all levels in Abia state and the country as a whole.

The Forum also expressed serious concern over Governor Otti’s continued use of his private residence in Umuehim Nvosi Isialagwa South local council,as Government House.

The Coalition said it has resolved to mount a legal challenge, seeking to compel the Governor to operate from the state’s seat of power in Umuahia, the capital.

Specifically, while expressing concern over the poor level of governance under Governor Otti, the Forum pledged to ensure the enthronement of an APC-controlled administration in 2027.

“The meeting brought together leaders of experience and conviction including former state Governor Senator Theodore Orji the Minister of state for Labour Dr Nkiru Onyejiocha and a host of others to deliberate on issues affecting Abia state and the nation.

“The engagement also enabled us to critically assess the state of governance in Abia State, exchange candid views and take decisions guided by strictly by the over all best interest of well-meaning Abians” former Governor Kalu further noted.

But reacting to the development, Governor Otti at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church Umuoriehi Headquarters of the Abia North Conference in Umuahia North local council on Saturday described the gathering of the opposition Coalition in the state against him as a failed project.

In a statement from Ukoha Njoku Ukoha his spokesperson, the Abia State Governor insisted that only empty barrels make noise.

“Pastor Uguru earlier made reference to the noise that you may have been hearing in the last few days.

“I want us to just dismiss it as noise. You know that it is always the empty barrels that make the loudest noise.

“As for gathering, as recorded in the Holy Book of Isaiah chapter 54, verse 15 and it’s says “Behold, they will surely gather, but the gathering is not of me. And since it is not of me, what would they do? They will scatter, and they will fall for your sake. That is the Holy Book.

“And like I have always said, some of these people speaking have forgotten what is written in Lamentations chapter 5 ,verse 37 . And it is a big charge .Who are you to speak when the Lord has not spoken?

” So, nobody should worry about that (the Coalition gathering). We don’t even think we should dignify them with responses”, Gov Otti stated.

The Abia State Governor reaffirmed his administration’s resolve not to be distracted from its avowed mission of changing the narrative in the State.

According to him, the so-called opposition Coalition having ruined the State for most part of the last two decades, has shown beyond any reasonable doubt that they are not bothered about the interest of the people of the state.

“I think we should just ignore them and continue to do what we are doing. In everything, they will not talk about the people of the State, but themselves.

“But they are a tiny minority. And God doesn’t make mistake. And also he doesn’t have an unfinished project. So, I don’t want anybody to lose breath or worry about the opposition and their gatherings”, Otti added.

The Source further reports that  the Governor has been having a running battle in the last couple of days with opposition figures, particularly Senator Orji Kalu over the 2027 polls with the climax being the gathering of the coalition on Friday.