Nollywood actress and African Action Congress governorship candidate, Doris Ogala, has declared that she will become the next governor of Abia State, describing her ambition as a “divine mandate” and accusing Governor Alex Otti’s administration of failing to live up to its public image.

Ogala, who previously served briefly as a Special Adviser on Creative Arts, Culture and Tourism under former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, said she had spent the past three months in the state assessing the situation on the ground.

Speaking during an interview on The Clarity Zone Podcast, posted on YouTube on Wednesday night, she questioned some of the achievements attributed to the Otti administration, particularly in electricity supply, the redevelopment of Ariaria International Market and the payment of pension arrears.

“I am telling you this for free, my call to come and save my people is a divine mandate. I will be the next governor of Abia State. Nothing is going to stop me,” she said.

Ogala said she believed she had the experience, grassroots connections and capacity required to govern the state, adding that she was more interested in working with ordinary residents than political godfathers.

“I have strength as well. I have the capacity. I am a very fearless person,” she said.

She also recalled her previous involvement in Abia politics, saying she had access to the government during the Ikpeazu administration and had been involved in grassroots activities.

Support for the less privileged

Ogala said her interest in public service and support for vulnerable people existed before her decision to contest the governorship.

She claimed to have helped several people establish businesses, built houses for some beneficiaries and awarded scholarships to more than 300 people.

She also recalled an incident involving women whose shops were allegedly demolished after they resisted attempts to acquire their properties.

According to Ogala, the women approached her after their shops were demolished, and she gave each of them N200,000 to assist with relocation.

She said the gesture reflected her longstanding commitment to supporting people in need.

“My kindness will speak for me. That is why I am so sure and confident that my people will vote for me as the next governor,” she said.

Ogala unveils manifesto

The actress also outlined a five-point agenda for her governorship ambition, saying she built the manifesto around the letters of her first name, Doris.

According to her:

D stands for Decentralising Development

O stands for Ownership and Opportunity

R stands for Reliable Power and Rural Development

I stands for Innovative Education and Industrialisation

S stands for a Strong, Safe and Healthy Abia State

Ogala said her agenda was driven by her conviction that Abia could achieve more.

“My conviction, not merely a belief, but a conviction, is that Abia deserves better,” she said.

She also criticised her brief appointment under the Ikpeazu administration, alleging that she was brought into government primarily because of her influence among young people and grassroots supporters.

Ogala said she was appointed Special Adviser on Creative Arts, Culture and Tourism about two weeks before Ikpeazu’s second-term election but did not remain in the administration afterward.

She further alleged that she was not paid for her period in office.

According to her, she founded the Abia State Ojeje Youth Movement, which she described as one of the largest youth groups in the state, and claimed that political actors had previously relied on her grassroots structure during elections.

Electricity supply

Ogala also challenged the Otti administration’s record on electricity, disputing claims that the government had delivered 24-hour power supply in Abia.

She alleged that some of the electricity infrastructure being credited to the current administration was initiated during the Ikpeazu administration.

“I want to tell you today that Ikpeazu initiated the electricity you see them claiming credit for. Then the incumbent governor, Alex Otti, came and inherited it,” she said.

Ogala also referred to a recent period of prolonged power outage in Aba, arguing that it contradicted claims of uninterrupted electricity supply.

She alleged that the state government later distanced itself from responsibility for the power situation by explaining that electricity supply in Aba was managed by the private sector.

Ariaria Market

On Ariaria International Market, Ogala disputed claims about the extent of the Otti administration’s contribution to its redevelopment.

She attributed the construction of the A-Line section of the market to the Ikpeazu administration, saying she was part of the government at the time.

“He did not build Ariaria. The only section developed in Ariaria is the A-Line, which Ikpeazu built,” she said.

Ogala claimed that the project was not formally commissioned before Ikpeazu left office and alleged that the subsequent administration took credit for the development.

She also accused the Otti administration of relying heavily on social media to promote its achievements, while claiming that the situation on the ground was different.

Pension arrears

Ogala further questioned the Otti administration’s claims concerning the settlement of pension arrears.

She said pensioners had publicly raised concerns after the governor announced that outstanding pension obligations had been cleared.

According to her, some pensioners alleged that they were asked to sign documents that affected their entitlements and subsequently challenged the matter in court.

Ogala maintained that, contrary to the administration’s claims, the pensioners had not received the payments she alleged were promised.

“That man whitewashed the situation. He never paid a kobo. He deceived them,” she alleged.

She said her approach to politics would be based on evidence and direct engagement with residents, stressing that she intended to challenge what she described as misleading narratives about the state.

Ogala's comments come as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 Abia State governorship election.