(Published by The Southerner, Saturday, May 3, 2025)

By Uzodinma Nwaogbe

The streets of Abia went up in thunderous joy on the day Dr. Alex Chioma Otti was declared winner of the gubernatorial contest of 2023. Ndi Abia everywhere, but mostly on Abia streets, villages, towns and cities sang and danced round in jubilation for his emergence.

For 24 years the good people of Abia suffered wickedness, abandonment, retrogression, underdevelopment and infrastructural destruction in the hands of rudderless and mindless leaders. Abia in the hands of the 1999 – 2023 men was rated amongst the worst governed and misruled state in Nigeria. Her citizens wailed and wore shame wherever they were and went. Wherever citizens of other states gathered to discuss great achievements of their states’ chief executive, ndi Abia were mocked.

Abia women and the religious mass prayed fervently for deliverance, to be freed from the shackles holding the state down. And of course, God answered their prayers. God heard the cries of His People.

Just like in the Bible, He heard the wailings of the Israelites and came to their rescue by removing them from the land of Egypt. He set them free.
Dr. Alex Otti of the Labour Party, in spite of all manipulations, intrigues and threats was declared winner of the Abia governorship election.

This Nvosi man, University of Port Harcourt graduate, trained economist, banker, administrator now turned politician has proven that, indeed something good can come out of Abia. What three men for 24 years couldn’t do, this SMALL MAN within a space of two years has surpassed. So, what is his magic wand? Perhaps, if you ask me, his sincerity.

We have met and spoken one on one. We shared views of a better Abia. We drank wine and ate swallow. Trust Igbo man. Together at his Lekki home, he told me little of his political journey. I still remember very vividly when during our discussions, he said, ‘I am wealthy enough. I don’t need Abia’s money. My interest is to develop the state. Nothing else. There’s nothing any sitting governor or president can afford, I cannot.’

We agreed Abia was in the wrong hands for these years. So, the coming together of the progressives to promote a trusted figure to work assiduously to redeem Abia was the way to go.

So far, so good. It is not Uhuru, but Abians are smiling, dancing and clapping in appreciation that within two years it’s a job well done. Abia by the good leadership of Gov. Alex Otti is a reference point nationally and internationally today. I think and believe very strongly that, Gov. Otti having come from Lagos copied quite a lot from former governor of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who from day one as the elected governor of Lagos in 2007 – 2015 transformed the state.

The kind of infrastructural development in and around the state capital, Umuahia and other major cities like, Aba, since Gov. Otti assumed office on May 29, 2023 is unprecedented. For instance, in Umuahia, the shanties around Tower along the Enugu – Port Harcourt expressway have been cleared. The road widened. Same from Tower to Okpara Square, Library road, Warri street and many others. They are today wearing wonderful look. For the first time Umuahia has traffic and functioning street lights.

The state workers’ complaints of non-payment of salaries and allowances in the past have become a buried matter. That has been well cared for after the hullabaloo. There’s virtually no sector in the state that has not seen the sign of Otti’s quality leadership.

Recently, he was at Abia State University, Uturu. He went round and saw the dilapidated buildings, halls of residence, lecture theatres and a total opposite of what an Ivory Tower ought to be. There and then he took decision, made promises and gave directives to bring the school back. That’s leadership that considers education as part of development. That’s responsibility that is required to move the state forward. That’s seriousness in office.

Before 2023, Aba was an eyesore. A complete jungle. Ariaria International market, where many Nigerians and foreigners patronize daily for trading, was a disaster. Under Gov. Otti’s two years of championing administration in the state, Aba streets and roads have improved. Many others have witnessed improvement. The Ariaria International market is undergoing reconstruction to fit international market standard.

The Aba – Port Harcourt expressway is no more a trauma for motorists and passengers. Travelling from Aba to Port Harcourt prior May 29, 2023 took long hours for an hour’s journey. Transporters meandered through bushes and villages to avoid the totally destroyed road, but just two years of Gov. Otti, it is a straight drive to Pitakwa.

Several inner roads and streets in Aba, Umuahia and other towns are not only tarred but widened for easy driving.

Enyimba Hotels, Aba that has been abandoned since ‘Imo River’ is about to be transformed to Radisson Blu hotel. For those who may not know, Radisson Blu is situated in Ikeja GRA of Lagos. It is a five star hotel with classical touch. Having used the hotel severally, Gov. Otti didn’t make mistake in choosing to sign a deal with the operators. The rooms, surroundings, foods, drinks and services are topnotch. To have such in a place like Aba is oil money in the waiting for Abia.

I am not doing this piece to hypocritically praise Gov. Otti. He knows I am not cut out for such. Members of our common group can testify. Some of our group members usually quarrel with me when I disagree with any of his policies. But I have my inalienable right to free expression. My only interest is to ensure his success and odi nma Abia.

I am doing this to get him thinking and be more focused in the remaining two years of his first tenure. The remaining two years for him should be dedicated to more wins. He should work like he is not returning to government house, Abia. 2027 will only be decided by God and ndi Abia.

By May 29, 2025, he will clock two years in office, kpo kpem. There will be another two years left. He doesn’t need to drive round the streets, villages and towns to campaign in 2027, for he has done so already with his great works. Good product, they say, markets itself.

But he must not relent in continuing his good works. He has no reason to relax as there is quite a huge job for him to accomplish. There are some projects he has to complete before the end of his third year in office. The Umuahia bus terminal is a must for him. He has to work extremely hard with the contractors to see that transport mall ready before May 2026. So far, they are slow, very slow.

One area the governor needs to look into seriously is to lay foundation for industrial corridors in the three senatorial zones of the state. We need an industrial valley. The infrastructural development is fantastic but industrial development is a must to take care of our growing youths tomorrow. In Lagos, there were Oshodi/Ilupeju, Ogba/Ikeja and Isolo/Aswani industrial areas that employed great number of people. Though, some of the industries are dead today but few are still breathing.

Our teeming youths and graduates need a place to exercise their hands and brains. Infrastructural development without industrial development doesn’t encourage and support a growing economy.

The governor and his team must deeply support made in Aba products. In the next two years left, he has to work harder to promote the made in Aba products in every part of Nigeria and sub regional Africa. We can’t always sing the mantra without deepening it. It is another revenue making angle for the state if well supported and managed.

Aba made clothing and shoes should be everywhere in Nigeria and the sub regional African markets. They should be considered far and above others by our brothers and sisters of the region. Let the Governor organize the men and women in Aba, give them the necessary contact, exposure, market, and support needed for efficiency and effective clothing, shoe making and sales. It is to Abia’s advantage.

May I repeat that, from 1999 – 2023, those who suprintended over Abia were a big waste and disaster. I have written it, I have spoken about it. Gov. Alex Otti must write his name in the political books of Abia State in capital letters. He has everything going for him.

He needs to create farmlands in the three senatorial zones of the state. We cannot have ministry of agriculture that cannot proudly flood Abia markets with produced foods like yam, garri, palm oil, fruits, pepper, tomato, vegetables, etc. The lands are there. This is an area the government of Gov. Otti should give priority attention to, realizing there is money in food business and the importance of food to man.

Some of the foods like yam is a source of revenue for Ghana and, from available records the yams are gotten from Nigeria but labelled Ghana and transported to Europe, Asia, America and other parts of the world.

Gov. Otti can use his remaining two years to initiate and create a Silicon Valley in Abia State. He must bring his wealth of experience as an economist to bear. Abia flourished during the reigns of Dr. Michael Okpara and De Sam Mbakwe of the old East Central and Imo states respectively. Abia must be healed and restored to its glory days.

Gov. Alex Otti should consider the importance of having a pharmaceutical company in the state. The state government can partner with some of the reputable pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria or outside to establish a befitting one in Abia.

All the praises showered on Gov. Otti must not be in vain. The who’s who in Nigeria have praised his commitment to achieving greatness in Abia in the last two years. The elders of Abia are solidly behind him, no matter the party affiliation. The ordinary men and women, the ‘Talakawas’ of Abia are in solidarity with this uncommon transformer. Of course, the heavens are his guide and guard.

No doubt the streets are clean. There are sweepers sweeping the streets every morning. Sweeping the streets every morning is good but it does not make a clean environment. The rains would soon come and I can bet that you would frown at your environment managers. The gutters and drainages are heaped with sand and all manner of rubbish that has blocked free flow of water. The ASEPA or whoever is in charge are not doing wonderfully well in that regard.

Even though the Governor still operates from his home as a sitting governor for two years running, it is untidy and makes room for suspicion. His supporters can marshall out any defence. It’s not selling for him. Two years is more than enough to have gotten temporary place around Government House, Umuahia, to work from while putting up the new structure.

Presiding over a state or country is serious business. Most Governors and Presidents, despite owning mansions in state capitals and FCT operate from government houses. This is a necessity.

Ultimately, it must be stated that doing the right thing requires courage. We must not forget that the same crowd that hailed Jesus turned around and screamed, “Crucify Him”.