Revisiting Sowore’s ‘Naked Dance’ in Aba: A Fresh Perspective

Omoyele Sowore, a controversial activist and editor of Sahara Reporters, traveled to Aba, the commercial center of Eastern Nigeria, on March 17, 2026. He stated that his goal was to push for Nnamdi Kanu, the arrested leader of the Biafran separatist movement, to be released.

But events surrounding the visit—especially his comments both during and after—indicate that the trip might have had a different purpose. Instead of being a targeted advocacy campaign, it seemed to be intended to undermine the rising popularity and effectiveness of Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State.

Since taking office on May 29, 2023, Governor Otti has presided over what many observers call a stunning change of Abia State, turning it from one of Southern Nigeria’s least developed regions into one of the nation’s fastest-improving states. This change has gained the moniker “The Abia Miracle.”

Context is crucial to comprehending the issue surrounding Sowore’s visit. First, Nnamdi Kanu is still in federal detention, and the federal government—possibly through presidential intervention—will make the majority of the decisions about his release. Any significant advocacy effort would logically target political power centers like Abuja or Lagos rather than an Aba marketplace. This begs the obvious question: what part do Ariaria Market traders play in this kind of campaign? In all likelihood, none.

Sowore reportedly stayed at Ariaria for less than an hour. There isn’t much proof that he traveled to Abia before the current government. If he had, he would have been able to compare the state’s current transition under Governor Otti with the extreme infrastructural deterioration that once characterized the state.

Even Sowore’s route to Ariaria Market has been clearly improved. He admitted that the region is much cleaner than it was in the past, when it was rife with filth and neglect. The long-standing flooding problem known as “Ofe Obara,” which once severely hampered the Ariaria axis, has now been successfully resolved—something that earlier administrations were unable to accomplish.

This revitalization is not limited to Aba; it is a reflection of a larger change in the state.

Abia had difficulties in several important areas prior to the present administration. Public services were mainly ineffectual, roads were infamously bad, and infrastructure was in disrepair. Criminal groups even controlled some areas. The story has altered dramatically since then. Thanks in part to the Operation Crush security program, Abia’s crime rates have been progressively dropping since May 2023, making it one of Nigeria’s safer states.

According to reports, more than 400 roads have been rebuilt in the last two years. These roads are noteworthy for their solar-powered street lighting, appropriate drainage systems, and longevity. Many have been finished in a short amount of time—often less than a year. The employment of direct labor—hiring local engineers and technicians instead of outside contractors—is a notable aspect of these projects.

With the refurbishment of important government buildings like the State Secretariat, Commissioners’ Quarters, and the Dr. Michael Okpara Auditorium, a similar strategy has been used in public housing. Development initiatives in both urban and rural areas have been expedited by the creation of the Greater Aba Development Authority and the Greater Ohafia Development Authority.

There has also been a lot of focus on education. Governor Otti raised funding—roughly 20% of the state budget—after declaring a state of emergency in the industry upon taking office. Infrastructure development is still proceeding, and tertiary institutions have regained their lost accreditations. Even if such advancements might not be immediately apparent during a quick visit, the system has been enhanced at the fundamental level by the hiring of 5,000 teachers through a merit-based approach.

With salary arrears paid and regular payments guaranteed by the 28th of every month, workers’ welfare has improved, demonstrating a renewed dedication to governance.

The administration has hired more than 700 medical professionals and made significant improvements in healthcare at all levels. Under “Project Ekwueme,” more than 200 health facilities have undergone rehabilitation. Additionally, the state received a $500,000 reward for winning the 2025 Nigeria Governors’ Forum Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge in the South East Zone. Furthermore, plans for a billion-dollar medical village have been finalized and construction has started on the site with the goal of reducing medical tourism from the area in cooperation with foreign partners.

The administration’s strategy has placed a strong emphasis on governance improvements in addition to infrastructure. Merit-based hiring, budgetary restraint, open procurement procedures, and more efficient reorganization of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are a few of these. A culture of service delivery and responsibility is progressively becoming ingrained.

In light of this, Sowore’s comments seem to be mainly superficial, based more on ephemeral observations than a thorough comprehension of systemic adjustments. His comments are more spectacular than significant, akin to a “naked dance” in Aba, as they lack objectivity and concrete proof.

It is nevertheless true that Governor Otti has set the stage for Abia State to have a better organized and efficient system of government. The obvious changes, which are frequently referred to as the “New Abia’s” emergence, are just the start of what many anticipate will be a long-term development trajectory.