BEFORE YOU ASK ABIA TO CHANGE DIRECTION, FIRST ANSWER THE HARD QUESTIONS
Dr. Kelechi Anosike and his supporters are fully entitled to criticise Governor Alex Otti. Opposition is an essential pillar of democracy, and the question concerning the permanent seat of government deserves a clear response from the administration.
However, a Government House controversy cannot become a convenient hiding place for politicians who have no convincing answers to the deeper questions confronting Abia State.
A Government House is an administrative facility. It is not the government itself.
Government is measured by what reaches the people: functioning roads, improved hospitals, better schools, reliable transportation, responsible financial management, clean public spaces, stronger institutions and opportunities for citizens.
Therefore, before anyone presents himself as Abia’s political messiah, let him answer these fundamental questions:
Where is your independently costed development plan for Abia State?
How exactly will your proposed “welfarist government” be funded without returning Abia to reckless borrowing, unpaid salaries and abandoned projects?
What is your measurable strategy for creating jobs, improving internally generated revenue, supporting businesses and protecting vulnerable citizens?
What specific roads, hospitals, schools, markets and public institutions will you prioritise, and within what timelines?
What is your position on transparency, procurement, public debt, quarterly financial reporting and citizens’ access to government information?
Beyond hosting political editors in expensive Lagos hotels and generating flattering headlines, how many ordinary Abians have gathered organically to demand your candidacy?
How many communities have invited you without inducement?
How many market women, transport workers, artisans, professionals, young people and traditional communities are genuinely organising around your message?
Those claiming that Governor Otti lives in a political “wonderland” should leave their comfortable gatherings and visit the streets of Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia, Abiriba and other communities. They should listen quietly at markets, motor parks, churches, town-union meetings, village squares and family gatherings.
Let them test the temperature of the people without announcing their visit, distributing money or arriving with a rented crowd.
They may discover that genuine political support is not manufactured inside hotel conference rooms. It grows organically from citizens who can see changes in their daily lives.
Governor Otti is not beyond criticism. No democratic leader should be. His administration must continue explaining its decisions, publishing verifiable information, welcoming scrutiny and providing a clear timeline for every major public commitment—including the permanent administrative arrangements of the government.
That is what good governance requires: transparency, accountability, responsiveness, participation, effectiveness, fairness and respect for the rule of law.
But accountability must apply equally to the opposition.
Critics cannot demand transparency from government while offering slogans instead of plans. They cannot condemn alleged secrecy while refusing to disclose how their ambitious promises will be funded. They cannot claim to defend Abians while insulting communities, describing citizens who meet the governor as people who have gone to “bow,” or reducing every legitimate political association to ridicule.
Senator Emma Nwaka, like every Abian, possesses the constitutional freedom to meet, support or associate with any political leader of his choice. Disagreement does not justify describing lawful political engagement as something “fiendish.”
That language does not elevate political discourse. It exposes frustration.
The Otti administration publicly reports that it has completed hundreds of road projects across Abia, while additional roads remain under construction. In recent days, the governor has commissioned more projects in Aba and other parts of the state. These claims should be independently examined, verified and debated—but they cannot honestly be dismissed as imaginary simply because the opposition desperately needs a campaign narrative.
Dr. Anosike and those encouraging him should understand one important reality: defeating an incumbent governor with visible projects, an organised political structure and significant grassroots support will be an uphill task.
Therefore, nobody should gamble with his family’s future because of political excitement.
Do not use your children’s school fees to finance a political race.
Do not spend your final savings pursuing the applause of people who will disappear immediately after the election.
Do not sell property, borrow irresponsibly or impoverish your household because political associates have assured you that victory is guaranteed.
Politics is temporary. Family responsibilities remain after the campaign banners have been removed.
Abians will ultimately judge every candidate. But that judgement will not be based solely on who speaks most aggressively, holds the most press conferences or attacks the governor’s residence most frequently.
The real contest will be decided by evidence, credibility, competence, grassroots acceptance and a demonstrable capacity to govern.
The opposition should continue asking questions. Governor Otti must continue answering them.
But those seeking to replace him must also prepare themselves for the questions Abians will ask:
What have you built?
What have you managed successfully?
What have you delivered?
Who genuinely believes in you?
And why should Abia abandon visible progress for promises that have not yet been tested?
The race ahead will not be won through noise.
It will be won through trust.
And trust must be earned.
