THE OPPOSITION IS ROARING IN LETTERS WHILE OTTI IS SPEAKING IN PROJECTS!
When Political Noise Mistakes Itself for Political Relevance
By AProf Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke
October 27, 2026
I have watched the latest political drama unfolding in Abia State, and I must confess that I am thoroughly amused. The opposition appears to have discovered a new political strategy: make enough noise, issue enough statements, manufacture enough controversies, and perhaps the electorate will forget to ask the most important question: What exactly have you delivered?
What a fascinating political calculation!
Governor Alex Otti constitutes a formidable political challenge, and I understand why his opponents would prefer to discuss campaign councils, billboard charges and political appointments. These subjects are considerably more comfortable than a serious examination of governance.
I laughed when I read the declaration that Governor Otti’s campaign council appointments would not determine the outcome of the 2027 governorship election.
Wonderful discovery!
Who ever suggested that appointments alone determine elections?
I certainly did not.
But I find it extraordinary that politicians who understand the importance of political organisation suddenly consider it an offence when their opponent organises himself.
Should Otti consult the opposition before appointing his campaign advisers? Should he seek their permission before preparing for an election? Or should he abandon political organisation simply because his opponents find his preparations uncomfortable?
I am tempted to recommend that the opposition establish a special committee to investigate why Governor Otti has refused to make their political assignment easier.
Perhaps that committee will finally produce the miracle they have been waiting for!
THE BILLBOARD CONTROVERSY: WHEN POLITICAL ADVERTISING BECOMES THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY
Then came the controversy surrounding political billboard charges.
The reported schedule provides for ₦200 million for presidential candidates and ₦150 million for governorship candidates, among other categories.
I consider these substantial charges deserving of proper scrutiny. I believe every political party should enjoy fair access to the electoral process, and any regulation must withstand the test of legality, reasonableness and equal application.
But I refuse to accept that the entire debate about Abia’s future should now revolve around the price of political posters.
Is this the grand economic programme for Abia?
Is this the blueprint for industrial transformation?
Is this how we intend to discuss employment, healthcare, investment and public infrastructure?
Let the legality of the fees be examined. Let the courts decide the questions properly brought before them.
Meanwhile, I want to hear something more substantial from those seeking to govern Abia.
A billboard can announce a candidate. It cannot manufacture competence.
A poster may introduce a politician. It cannot repair a road.
A campaign slogan may attract attention. It cannot, by itself, improve public services.
That distinction is fundamental.
THE ABA INDUSTRIAL PROMISE: WELCOME TO THE CONVERSATION!
I also read the reported promise by the PDP governorship candidate, Dr Kelechi Anosike, to establish a solar-powered common facility centre for leather and garment producers in Aba.
Now, that is a proposal worth discussing.
I welcome any serious idea capable of strengthening Aba’s industrial economy.
But I have a question.
Why should a proposal automatically become proof that the current administration has failed?
I would rather examine the proposed project’s financing, implementation timetable, management structure and expected benefits to artisans.
I want competition in ideas, not competition in adjectives.
I want rival candidates to explain what they would do differently, how much it would cost, where the money would come from and how success would be measured.
I will gladly applaud a credible alternative.
But I will not mistake a campaign promise for an accomplished economic transformation.
A promise is an invitation to scrutiny, not a certificate of achievement.
LETTER WRITERS, PRESS CONFERENCES AND POLITICAL THEATRE
I have noticed that the closer Abia moves towards 2027, the more energetic the political commentary becomes.
Every appointment generates a reaction.
Every policy produces a denunciation.
Every campaign development becomes an emergency press conference.
At this rate, I fear that some opposition politicians may soon issue a statement condemning Governor Otti for waking up before them!
If he appoints advisers, they complain.
If he prepares for an election, they complain.
If his administration introduces a regulation, they complain.
And if he refuses to respond to every political provocation, they may complain that he is ignoring their complaints!
I must admit: there is remarkable consistency in this approach.
Unfortunately, consistency in criticism is not the same as competence in governance.
I do not believe Governor Otti is beyond criticism. No elected official should be.
Indeed, I insist that his administration must continue to defend its expenditure, explain its policies, demonstrate results and correct its mistakes.
That is democratic accountability.
But accountability must apply equally to those seeking to replace him.
MY MESSAGE TO THE OPPOSITION
I have no objection to political rallies.
I have no objection to opposition statements.
I have no objection to campaign promises.
I have no objection to legitimate litigation against government policies.
These are democratic rights.
What I object to is the suggestion that political noise should substitute for a convincing programme of government.
Let the opposition organise its rallies.
Let it publish its manifestos.
Let it challenge government decisions where necessary.
But let it also submit itself to serious examination.
I want measurable commitments. I want credible budgets. I want implementation strategies. I want evidence that those asking to govern understand the responsibilities they are seeking.
Abia deserves nothing less.
OTTI MUST CONTINUE TO ANSWER WITH GOVERNANCE
My position is unmistakable.
I support Governor Alex Otti’s pursuit of a governance-centred political legacy. I believe his strongest argument for another mandate must remain the quality of his administration’s performance.
Not insults.
Not political intimidation.
Not the weakness of his opponents.
Performance! Performance!! Performance!!!
I want the government to continue demonstrating progress in infrastructure, public finance, healthcare, education and economic opportunity.
I want citizens to scrutinise those achievements, identify shortcomings and demand improvement.
And I want the opposition to offer something capable of surviving that same scrutiny.
Because ultimately, Abia’s future is too important to be reduced to a contest between political billboards and press statements.
So, to those who have turned every campaign development into an occasion for political outrage, I offer a modest suggestion:
Reduce the volume of your indignation and increase the substance of your alternative.
You cannot govern a state with capital letters.
You cannot industrialise Aba with an angry communiqué.
You cannot improve public services through the sheer frequency of press conferences.
And you certainly cannot assume that the electorate will mistake the loudest political voice for the most capable administrator.
I stand with Otti’s commitment to governance, while reserving my democratic right to demand more from him.
Let him be judged by his record.
Let his opponents be judged by their proposals and records.
Let the people of Abia make their choice freely.
MY FINAL WORD: LET THE LETTERS ROAR, LET THE RALLIES ROLL, BUT LET GOVERNANCE SPEAK THE LOUDEST!
The political season may be noisy, but I will not surrender my judgment to noise.
I am interested in results.
I am interested in competence.
I am interested in the future of Abia State.
And on that ground, I am prepared to defend my position without apology.
AProf Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke
