DR. ALEX OTTI– NIGERIA’S MOST PERFORMING GOVERNOR
In September of 2023, I wrote a piece about the newly sworn in Governor Alex Otti of Abia State captioned “THE EAGLE HAS FINALLY LANDED IN ABIA STATE.” Immediately the article went viral, Abia State Bloggers paid by some enemies of the Governor from the opposition camp started profiling me and even attacked me. Some claimed that I was paid by the Governor, a man I have never spoken to before or even shook hands with. I’m only interested in good governance in Nigeria and if that leader is from the north or western part of Nigeria, that leader will be appreciated. Today, I have been vindicated by the Abia State Governor because the Arochukwu born banker turned politician has proven that good governance is possible in Nigeria. He has also proven that all hopes are not lost in Nigeria only if the right people are voted in as leaders. What Governor Otti has accomplished within two years as Governor of Abia State has superceded all minimal accomplishments by three failed former Governors of Abia State namely Orji Uzor Kalu, T.A Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu though Orji Uzor Kalu was better than the last two and that’s why his people keep voting him in as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. After 24 wasted years of PDP leadership in Abia State, Governor Alex Otti’s performance within two years has finally wiped out tears from the eyes of Abians and that’s why his political opponents have stepped up their attacks on him simply because they are allergic to good governance.
I’m not from Abia State and I have never met or spoken to Dr Alex Otti and he doesn’t know me either. Moreover, I was a PDP card carrying member for years before the national leadership of PDP allowed former Governor Nyesom Wike to destroy the party but that wouldn’t stop me from appreciating good things and saying the truth about good governance in any Nigerian state. Go to Abia State especially Aba and you will see the wonders and miracles of Governor Alex Otti. One is then compelled to ask, is it not the same allocations given to former PDP Governors that Governor Alex Otti is receiving? Is the Governor borrowing some billions of dollars from Mr. Elon Musk? The answer is NO. He is collecting the same federal allocations past Governors collected. Infact, he has only received allocations for just two years but for 24 years, the trio of Orji Uzor Kalu, T.A Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu received federal allocations and yet, nothing to show where those billions collected were used in Abia State by them. Aba, the nerve center of Abia State was unmotorable and nothing functioned well there before the coming of Dr Alex Otti. Umuahia, the State Capital looked like an abandoned Local Government Headquarters. For 24 years, Abians never experienced good governance. Infact, they suffered. Why?
I saw Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on national television last week making a mockery of himself by saying that President Ahmed Tinubu is not happy with Governor Alex Otti because his State Governor is not performing. Really, Mr. Senator? Well, President Tinubu if he said so is not supposed to be happy because the performing Governor of Abia State has exposed both Tinubu himself and all non performing Governors in Nigeria. Rather than be angry Mr President, please invite Governor Alex Otti to Aso Rock and appreciate his laudable accomplishments with the highest national honor for not only performing exceedingly well but for redefining governance in Nigeria. This will encourage lamedock Governors to wake up and start doing something. Based on all the accomplishments of the Governor so far within 2 years of being in office, I’m now wondering how the entire Abia State will look like by the time the Governor completes his full four year term as Governor. Even a blind person in Abia State has seen that his/her Governor is performing. Rather than criticize him unjustly, please encourage him to do more because Nigerians in general are yawning for good governance and that’s the only way to turn things around in Nigeria.
Frankly speaking, God is using Dr Alex Otti to not only rescue but to transform Abia State to an enviable status and Nigerians globally are seeing it through social media. Based on all that I heard about this performing Governor, I then beamed my searchlight to Abia State and what I gathered from Abia State residents is very impressive and I have to make them public. I was reliably informed that both state workers’ and pensioners’ salaries are paid regularly every month and on time too. Does it surprise me? The answer is no. Governor Alex Otti is always flagging off new projects or commissioning completed ones.
The Eagle that finally landed in Abia State in 2023 is now
1). Reconstructing the dangerous and very narrow “Omenuko Bridge” that was a death trap that claimed so many lives in the past.
2). Doing road construction of the forgotten Arochukwu/Ndi Okereke road, Ozu-Abam.
3). The Governor has also embarked on the rehabilitation of Abia Polytechnics at Aba
4). Construction of Deep Sea Port in Ukwa East
5). Construction of Abia Industrial Innovation Plant
6). Reconstruction of Enyimba Sports Stadium
7). Road construction of Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abiriba-Ohafia being executed by three construction companies
8). Rehabilitation of Abia Railway Projects
9). Construction of Ariaria International market to an international standard it deserves
10). Construction/Expansion of the popular Bank Road where the old Government House is situated
11). Rehabilitation of Michael Okpara auditorium
12). Construction of Road from Okpara Square through Mission Hills, Okigwe Parks down to express tower
13). Beautification of Okpara Square with waterfalls/lightening/street lights in the entire city of Umuahia. This will make Umuahia town look like a real state capital it is rather than looking like an abandoned Local Government Headquarters
14). The Governor has also unveiled the new site for Abia Airport at Nsulu. The popular Nsulu used to be a sporting games village for camping in preparation for major sporting events in Nigeria
15). The Abia State wonder Governor has also unveiled a 27Km Power Plant Geometric in Aba at Osisioma which has been long completed. Engr. Barth Nnaji was involved in the project.
16). The all important Aba–Port-Harcourt Road has also been completed by Governor Alex Otti’s government
17). He recently flagged off the construction of the largest world class Event Center in Nigeria to be built at Aba, the Enyimba City. When completed, Aba will be bubbling like no other city in Nigeria.
A lot more than what I enumerated above have been accomplished by this gentle miracle Governor Senator Orji Uzor Kalu claims is not performing. What other performance indices is Mr Senator looking for.
Based on the huge accomplishments by Governor Alex Otti within a short time, the Best Performing Governor’s Award in Nigeria should be awarded to him without delay.
On a personal note, I appeal to the Governor to try and provide electricity to the good people of Ohafia community. It’s very shameful to hear that a historical town like Ohafia that has produced both living and dead legends like late Chief Ojo Maduekwe (a super minister during President Obasanjo’s regime), Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, Prof Eme Awah, Prof U.U Uche, Prof Eni Njoku, Prof Agbai Njoku, Dr Kalu Ezera, Chief Ukeh Kalu Ukeh and the legendary Highlife Musical Living Legend Mazi Paulson Kalu from Akanu, Ohafia does not have a functional power supply. If Igbere, Item, Abiriba, Arochukwu and other neighboring communities could have constant supply of electricity, Ohafia with its historical landmarks deserves to have one. The youths are yawning for that. Let the sins of their past leaders and fathers not be transferred to the innocent young ones who deserves a better life. Do it Mr Governor and history will be kind to you for bringing life and light to that community.
Mr Governor, I wish you well as you continue to bring the dividends of democracy and good governance to the great people of Abia State. Please ignore all the attacks from the opposition and remain focused in accomplishing your set goals. Criticism should encourage you to do more rather than deter you. Whenever your time is up as Governor, you will only be judged by your accomplishments and stewardship to the Abians.
Thanks,
Chief Sir Polly Ubah
USA Based and an Advocate for Good Governance in Nigeria
