Politics
For The Records: Otti’s Assures Of Hurry To Rebuild Abia State
Below is the full text of the pact that Abia State Governor, Alex Otti tabled before the citizens in his 2025 new year message, as vented on his verified socials.
“NEW YEAR, NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Being the Text of a New Year Broadcast by Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, on January 1, 2025
“1. Ndi Abia ibe m, I bring you warm and joyful greetings. I have come with a deep sense of our collective gratitude to the Almighty God for the blessing and privilege of waking up to another New Year. Let me join families, friends and well-wishers in welcoming all of us to the great promises of 2025. Happy New Year, umunne m.
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“2. This is the beginning of another phase of a long journey to find meaning in our individual lives and contribute meaningfully to the long-term growth of our society. Our pursuits may be different but the goals are often not too far apart: we want to live in fulfilment by applying our talents and abilities to useful endeavours, chase our dreams, pursue worthy causes and one day, when our race is done, look back in gratitude for the opportunities we had and the overall impact made within our spheres of influence.
“3. Things may not go exactly as we wish but even then, we have a responsibility to step out with hope, doing our best each day to pursue the outcomes we seek for ourselves and our loved ones. Hope must override despair and nothing should distract us from giving our all to achieve the goals that we have carefully laid out in the weeks and days leading to this remarkable day. I do not possess the power to predict the future but I know one thing for sure: victory ultimately goes to the one who never gave up.
“4. As a government, our job in the New Year will be to build systems and structures to support your dreams and offer you the institutional leverage to thrive and contribute to our shared aspiration of building a better society. With sincerity and commitment as our guiding principles, we have strived to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our people, honouring the faith they have placed in us.
“5. We are practically in a hurry to rebuild our State and realign governance priorities to reflect the true aspirations of the people. We have since evolved a system that prioritises the needs of the downtrodden by paying attention, listening carefully and channelling public resources to where they yield the highest social and economic dividends to the majority.
“6. By taking on very difficult but economically and socially significant projects in road infrastructure development, health and education, waste management and environmental recoveries, we have demonstrated that no obstacle can be too difficult to surmount when there is the sincere will to get things done. Many of the impact-making projects in our urban and rural communities are now nearing completion. Others are also being developed at a pace that leaves no doubt about the determination of the government to complete and add them to the stock of public infrastructure in the State. You will find evidence of our commitment to the restoration and upgrade of long-abandoned public infrastructure across the State at the Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard in Umuahia, Port Harcourt Road in Aba, Obohia and Ohanku Roads, Ohafia-Arochukwu Road, Omenuko Bridge and several others that only served as tools of electioneering deceit before now. What makes us different as an administration is that we are driven by a genuine sense of service and an obligation to work for the people. Our pursuit is beyond political glory because we appreciate that humanity comes before politics.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially kicked off its nationwide elections, marking the start of a major leadership renewal ahead of the party’s National Convention scheduled for April 14, 2026.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Prince Chinedu Idigo, and National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, outlined the timetable for the election process.
According to the statement, polling unit and ward congresses will hold on April 7, followed by local government area congresses on April 9 and state congresses on April 11.
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The exercise is part of ADC’s constitutional mandate to refresh its leadership structures across all levels, culminating in the national convention in April. Party members interested in contesting vacant positions have been urged to obtain and submit nomination or expression of interest forms via the official ADC website.
“This process forms part of the party’s constitutional responsibility to renew its leadership structures across all levels of the organisation, culminating in the national convention,” the statement said.
The party also called on members nationwide to participate actively in the congresses and to conduct themselves in accordance with ADC’s constitution, guidelines, and democratic principles.
The nationwide elections are expected to set the stage for a robust leadership team as ADC positions itself strategically ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A former senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Abubakar Umar Gada, has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains strong and united in Sokoto State despite recent defections by some political figures.
Gada gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto, where he urged party loyalists to remain calm, focused and committed to the ideals of the PDP.
According to him, political defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic landscape and should not be seen as a threat to the stability and strength of the party in the state.
SEE MORE: PDP’s Festering Crisis Chases Tambuwal to ADC
The former lawmaker stressed that the PDP still enjoys a strong grassroots presence in Sokoto, noting that the party’s structure across the state remains intact and capable of delivering electoral victories.
He explained that the strength of the PDP lies in the loyalty and dedication of its members, leaders and supporters who have remained committed to the party through various political challenges.
Gada also pointed out that politics allows individuals the freedom to make personal decisions, but maintained that the PDP as an institution remains resilient and firmly rooted in the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the party’s national leadership has already initiated measures aimed at strengthening internal unity and consolidating party structures across the country.
According to him, consultations and reconciliation efforts are currently ongoing among key stakeholders to address emerging concerns and reinforce unity within the party.
Gada noted that such engagements are designed to ensure the PDP moves forward with renewed focus, stronger unity and a clear commitment to democratic values.
He recalled that the party has successfully navigated several political challenges in the past and has consistently emerged stronger.
The former senator therefore urged PDP members in Sokoto State to remain steadfast and avoid actions capable of creating divisions within the party.
He also called on supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and strengthen party structures across all levels as the party prepares for future political contests.
The lingering intra-party crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has forced senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal to dump the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, disclosed this in a resignation letter dated March 11, 2026, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area.
The letter, which was made available to journalists on Thursday, said the decision followed consultations with his political associates and supporters.
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“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my political associates and supporters, I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect,” Tambuwal stated.
According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, lingering disputes and leadership disagreements in the PDP made it increasingly difficult for him to remain in the party.
“The persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements and growing divisions within the party have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my membership,” he added.
Despite leaving the party, the senator expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities it gave him to serve in different capacities.
“I remain grateful to the party for the platform it provided me to serve Nigeria as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later as Governor of Sokoto State,” he said.
Tambuwal confirmed that he had joined the ADC alongside his political associates and supporters, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen democratic values and provide a credible political alternative.
“My decision is guided by the conviction that Nigeria requires a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and a clear commitment to national development,” he added.
Tambuwal served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 before emerging governor of Sokoto State in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He later defected to the PDP the same year and was re-elected governor in 2019.
After completing his second term in 2023, he was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent Sokoto South.
His defection to the ADC is expected to alter the political dynamics in Sokoto State, where he remains one of the state’s most influential political figures.
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