The Otti Years as an Opposition Figure: From Critique to Constructive Governance
My people, nobody is saying opposition should be silenced — we’re only saying it should be informed.
And if we’re talking about what true opposition looks like, Dr Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) wrote the manual.
2015–2017 – Opposition by Law, Not Noise:
Otti challenged PDP dominance through the courts, not through chaos. The Supreme Court upheld Ikpeazu (Feb 3 2016) but later granted Otti leave to test the process again (Jan 2017). It was legal discipline, not street drama .
Opposition by Ideas:
Through his “Outside the Box” column in ThisDay, Otti educated Nigerians on fiscal prudence and institutional reform .
He criticised with data, not with insults.
Promises Kept:
In office, he repealed the Pension Law that rewarded ex-governors and deputies — a move he had championed for years. The same principles he argued for in opposition became state policy.
Accountability Restored:
He confronted legacy corruption head-on; The Africa Report documented his battles over missing funds .
Now he publishes quarterly financials, something unseen in Abia’s history.
Salaries and Systemic Reform:
₦17.63 billion released to clear arrears across institutions — proof that opposition ideals matured into governance results.
So when people say “Otti played opposition before,” yes — but he played it scientifically, surgically, and constructively.
He opposed with evidence, and now he governs with the same precision.
Let’s stop mistaking bitterness for accountability.
Opposition isn’t Ikóta Ọnụ (empty chatter); it’s proof backed by courage.
#NewAbia #AlexOtti #FactsOverNoise
