Governor Otti and his detractors: 5 things to know…

Politics is a fierce struggle for power, it involves everything and nothing is off limits. For many in the regular political field, everything is game. Lies are as important, if not more important than the truth. It is about agenda, narrative building and promotion and of course, a tense battle to force your viewpoints, irrespective of whatever is the true position of things.

You can sell a neanderthal as the messiah and paint the man building one of the top 20 economies in the world as an under-achiever. You can tell the world that an educated man knows nothing and encourage the electorates to cast their votes for an idiot for the “final solution” to their probelms. We have seen this happen in Nigeria and across the State over the last 26 years of consistent democratic experience.

In Abia, we are currently seeing attempts in this direction by unscrupulous elements trying to pin lies on the administration, downplay its achievements and cause confusion amongst the populace.

If you understand this game, you will have no problem seeing the pattern with the recent public activities of characters like Mr Benjamin Okezie Kalu of the Federal House of Representatives, Obinna Oriaku, the author of the doctrine of perpetual indebtedness and starvation of workers and pensioners, Eze Davidson “Chikamnario” of ego Ugwu Abia fame, John Okiyi Kalu the JOKer and all the others that you find all over the place ranting and seeking to mislead the public even when their odious reputation as agents and promoters of the old Abia regime are known to everyone.

So we know what is happening and Ndi Abia are also not in the dark.

They know that Benjamin Kalu is too arrogant to care, they are not ignorant of Eze Davidson’s ways, Obinna Oriaku’s wickedness and John Okiyi Kalu’s lies. They know.

Unfortunately, the men dancing naked at the public square are too blind to see what is right in front of them.

Well, we would keep watching them, certain that whatever they write or say can cause no dent to Governor Otti’s rock solid popularity amongst the people.

At any rate, there are 5 important facts about Governor Otti and his administration that even his traducers cannot dispute and I will share them seriatim:

1. He is in charge – fully: Before now, we would have one official Governor and multiple power centres. If it is not the Governor’s mother, it is his son, his kinsmen and then church members. What happened before now was that all of these individuals were involved in contract awards, appointments and every sphere of public influence, milking the system, polluting the space and contributing nothing. Governor Otti has however banished that system. He is fully in charge and everyone knows who is in control. And of course, who takes ultimate responsibility. No guesswork. No blame games.

2. Contentment: Every Governor before now has been known to build a gigantic mansion soon after taking office, start a new business or just one idle channel through which public funds are siphoned. With Governor Otti, no such thing is happening. Not even his fiercest critic can accuse him of having bought any new property anywhere nor started a new line of business that was not in place before May 2023. The Otti difference.

3. Our pride is restored: Before now, identifying yourself as an Abian can attract certain unkind remarks and stares. That was in the days Aba and Umuahia were notorious for ubiquitous heaps of refuse, social disorder and of course, bad roads. Since the beginning of the Otti administration, everything has changed, wherever you announce yourself as an Abian, you are applauded and recieved warmly. “Your governor is doing well, I am happy with what is happening in Abia… .” It goes on and on. Governor Otti has effectively changed how we are seen and the quality of respect we get from amongst our people … and we are happy for it.

4. No lifestyle changes: Oftentimes, when people get into new positions, especially important offices, the first thing they do is to change their lifestyles, new clothes, designer shoes and expensive wristwatches, new dinner experiences and everything that indicates your new status as a man of power. For Governor Otti however, it is clockwork. The same type of clothes, less consumption and then more commercial flights. The Governor’s focus is just on one thing: service to Ndi Abia and nothing cam subtract from that.

5. A disciplined team: Now this follows logically – the Governor is in charge, he selects his team, everyone is loyal to him and no attempts at going off the line. You comport yourself well, respect the people as your boss does, be attentive to your duties and realise that you have been called to support the leader, help him achieve his development objectives and then go home. This was not the case before now when we had multiple power centres and anyhowness was the norm. Now also don’t forget that even the Governor’s choice of lieutenants makes certain things impossible — quality men and women with a good understanding of how a team functions. One leader, shared vision. Before now, it was multiple leaders, different goals. None connected to the welfare of our people. Today, the welfare of the people is the central concern. The Otti difference.

By Dodoh Okafor