Abia Traditional Ruler Slams Kalu Over ‘Road Painter’ Remark on Otti

Story: written by Uzuh Rita JANUARY 12,2026
The Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, has criticized former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu for claiming that Governor Alex Otti is merely “repainting” roads he built during his tenure.

Reacting also to Kalu’s pledge to block Otti’s re-election in 2027, Eze Mbah alleged that political actors are scheming to halt ongoing development in the state. He condemned a recent gathering of former Abia governors at ex-Governor Theodore Orji’s residence, describing it as part of a conspiracy to undermine Otti’s administration.

Eze Mbah warned that opposition plots aim to revert Abia to a period of unpaid salaries, stalled pensions, and decaying hospitals, but insisted that Governor Otti is poised for a decisive victory despite these attempts.

Highlighting the Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Alayi–Abiriba road, which connects to Kalu’s hometown of Igbere, the monarch noted that the road was fully reconstructed under Otti, questioning Kalu’s claim of mere “repainting.”

“Do they intend to drag us back to the era of unpaid salaries, abandoned hospitals, and crumbling infrastructure? That will not happen,” Eze Mbah stated.

He also cautioned politicians against making provocative statements, asserting that secretive meetings aimed at derailing Otti’s achievements will ultimately fail.