Abia pensioners urge Governor Otti to skip 2027 campaign, cite strong performance record

A group of pensioners in Abia State has urged Governor Alex Otti not to waste resources on campaign activities ahead of the 2027 elections, declaring that his performance in office has already secured their votes and support.

The pensioners, who made the appeal during a meeting in Umuahia, expressed satisfaction with the governor’s consistent payment of pension arrears and regular monthly stipends, a stark contrast to years of irregular payments under previous administrations.

Speaking on behalf of the group, leaders of the Abia State Pensioners Association commended Governor Otti for prioritizing their welfare and restoring dignity to retired workers who had suffered neglect and financial hardship for years.

“Your Excellency, we are here to tell you that you don’t need to spend money campaigning in 2027. Your work speaks for itself,” one pensioner stated. “For the first time in many years, we are receiving our pensions regularly. You have done what others promised but failed to do.”

The pensioners emphasized that the governor’s commitment to clearing inherited pension arrears and ensuring timely monthly payments has transformed their lives, enabling them to meet basic needs and support their families without the anxiety that characterized previous years.

Abia State, like many Nigerian states, had grappled with accumulated pension liabilities running into billions of naira, leaving many retirees in severe financial distress. Some pensioners reportedly died while waiting for their entitlements, creating widespread resentment among retired workers.

Governor Otti, who assumed office in May 2023, made pension payment a priority, implementing systematic clearance of backlogs while maintaining current obligations. The approach has earned him praise from senior citizens and labor organizations in the state.

“We have watched you work tirelessly to fix our roads, pay workers’ salaries, clear pension debts, and improve healthcare. These actions are your campaign,” another pensioner remarked. “Save the campaign money and use it for more development projects.”

The group pledged to mobilize support for the governor’s re-election bid across the state’s three senatorial zones, promising to serve as voluntary ambassadors highlighting his achievements in their communities.

Political analysts note that pensioners represent a significant voting bloc in Nigeria, often influencing electoral outcomes through their families and community networks. Securing their enthusiastic support could provide Governor Otti with a substantial advantage in the 2027 governorship election.

However, some observers caution that while performance-based endorsements are encouraging, competitive democratic processes require engagement with all stakeholder groups and cannot entirely replace campaign activities, which serve important functions in voter education and policy articulation.

Governor Otti, responding to the pensioners’ gesture, thanked them for their confidence and reassured them of his administration’s continued commitment to their welfare. He emphasized that governance is about service delivery and accountability to the people.

“Your words are humbling and reinforce my belief that when leaders focus on the people’s needs rather than politics, the people will always recognize and appreciate it,” the governor stated.

The endorsement comes as Nigerian politicians across the country begin positioning for the 2027 general elections, with campaign expenditures expected to run into billions of naira as parties and candidates compete for various offices.