Former Ukwa West Mayor, Newman Azu, Highlights Achievements, Backs Otti’s Re-election

Former Mayor of Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, Hon. Newman Azu, has commended Governor Alex Otti for what he described as significant strides in infrastructure, healthcare, education, electricity and overall governance across the state.

Azu, who served as the pioneer Mayor of Ukwa West following the establishment of the mayoral system under the Otti administration, spoke on his experience in office, his administration’s achievements and the development needs of the oil-producing local government.

The former mayor described his appointment by Governor Otti as one of the greatest honours of his life, particularly because he was invited to return from outside the country to serve his people.
According to him, the opportunity demonstrated that the administration was willing to identify and engage capable Abians in the diaspora in the development of the state.

Azu said he and other pioneer mayors made efforts to justify the confidence reposed in them, adding that the impact of the Otti administration was becoming visible across various sectors.

He cited improvements in road infrastructure, electricity supply, healthcare and education as some of the areas where he said the state had witnessed noticeable changes.

The former mayor also commended the governor for what he described as a new approach to governance, expressing optimism that the administration would sustain its development agenda.

Azu Seeks More Development for Oil-Producing Ukwa West
Speaking on the peculiar challenges confronting Ukwa West, Azu noted that the local government, being an oil-producing area, required sustained attention because of the environmental and infrastructural challenges associated with oil exploration.
He acknowledged ongoing interventions through the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ASOPADEC, under its leadership, describing some of the projects as positive steps towards addressing the development needs of the area.

He particularly mentioned the Artificial Intelligence Industrial Park, AIIP, project in Owaza, as well as the Obehi-Owaza road, which he described as a major road project in the local government.

Azu, however, stressed that more needed to be done, considering what he described as decades of neglect in the area.

He said several public facilities, including schools and primary healthcare centres, still required rehabilitation, while other basic infrastructure needed to be rebuilt or upgraded.
According to him, the ongoing projects should therefore be seen as work in progress, with the expectation that government would continue to invest in Ukwa West.

Former Mayor Lists Achievements in Office
Reflecting on his 11-month tenure as Mayor of Ukwa West, Azu said his administration recorded several achievements despite the challenges it encountered.

He said the administration focused on improving the physical infrastructure and essential services within the local government.

Among the projects he highlighted was the construction of a new police station, which he said was built to a modern standard because of the importance of security to the people and development of the area.

He said the administration also intervened in the welfare of security personnel and rehabilitated the High Court and Customary Court facilities in the local government.

Azu further disclosed that his administration intervened in water supply by providing water to some communities, while efforts were also made to restore electricity in certain areas.

He said the local government also settled outstanding electricity bills as part of efforts to improve power supply and essential services.

The former mayor maintained that the projects and interventions remained visible across Ukwa West, describing his period in office as challenging but rewarding.

Azu Backs Otti’s Re-election
On the 2027 political activities and Governor Otti’s re-election bid, Azu declared his support for the governor, insisting that the administration enjoys strong grassroots backing in Ukwa West.

He said political mobilisation had already commenced at the grassroots and disclosed that he had remained active in organising political activities since leaving office.

Azu, who hails from Ogwe Ward in Ukwa West, said recent political gatherings in the area showed strong support for the governor.

He expressed confidence that the governor would secure strong support from the area in the 2027 election, describing the local government as firmly behind Otti.
He also said his political influence extended beyond his immediate community and pledged to remain involved in grassroots mobilisation.

“Abia Is in Safe Hands”
Speaking on Abia State at 35, Azu urged residents to remain optimistic about the future of the state, saying the quality of leadership under Governor Otti had given him confidence in the direction of the state.
He described Otti as a capable leader and expressed the belief that the governor would continue to deliver on his administration’s development agenda.

Azu urged Abians to remain patient and supportive of the government, saying the state was, in his words, “cruising on high altitude” under the present administration.
He expressed confidence that with sustained leadership and commitment to development, Abia would continue to witness positive transformation.