By UZOMA ISIAKPU
Political analysts have posited that first-term Chief Executives (President or Governor) typically use the first half of their four-year tenure to aggressively drive development and quality service delivery that has a significant impact on the people. The pundits strongly believe that after the second year, the intensity of work by the first-term Chief Executive is often reduced, and attention is naturally diverted to re-election issues.
If this assumption is correct, after May 29, 2025, many states in the federation, including Abia State, will be in a frenzy of re-elections. To put it another way, little or no time will be spent putting election campaign promises into action. From this vantage point, one can appreciate the tenacity with which Abia State has been governed since May 29, 2023, when Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, took office as the State’s fifth democratically elected Governor.
Dr. Alex Otti’s presence in the political firmament has lit up the State’s landscape in every way, like a meteor. Despite only being in office for 20 months, significant progress has been made in all sectors of the state economy. Governor Alex Otti’s vision for New Abia is clearly taking shape.
Without a doubt, the State now has a greener and cleaner appearance, with fewer mounting refuse heaps than were previously seen in Aba, the State’s commercial hub, and Umuahia, the State capital. In addition to effective environmental waste management, the Dr Alex Otti administration has made significant contributions to education, agriculture, healthcare delivery, empowerment, and road infrastructure across the State’s three senatorial districts.
Instead of listing all of the extraordinary accomplishments, suffice it to say that there are undeniable signs that the current administration in the State is on track. In the spirit of the New Abia, the Governor has changed the narrative, raised the bar for governance, and had a positive impact on people. According to all indications, Governor Alex Otti is poised to maintain the pace of development beyond the midpoint of his tenure. In his address on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the first Executive Council Retreat with the theme “Sustaining the Momentum: Accelerating Execution,” he stated, among other things, that his administration’s aspirations are much higher, and the overarching goal is to leave an enduring legacy of service and transformation.
As the current administration’s accomplishments are widely recognised and its performance index rating is relatively high, politicians from all parties are arguing that Dr. Alex Otti deserves a second term in office based on his outstanding performance.
The Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Chief Enyinnaya Abaribe of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), said of the Governor: “I see no impediment to Governor Otti’s second term in office given the good work he has done throughout the state.”
In the same vein, the Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former Senate President, Senator Dr. Adolphus Wagbara, stated: “Governor Otti’s achievements in the first year are historic.” His dependability and integrity have earned him a second term in office, thanks to his outstanding performance.”
Chief Mark Wagbara of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Emeka Kalu of the PDP, Dr. Desmond Chima Anyaso of the Young Peoples Party (YPP), Chief Daniel Chimezie Okeke, and a host of others praised Governor Alex Otti and endorsed him for a second term. All these political heavyweights are saying is that Governor Alex Otti worked himself into a second term.
Ordinarily, endorsements are heartwarming, soothing to the ears, and good news for Governor Otti, his throngs of supporters, and state Labour Party (LP) members. However, as positive as the endorsements are, there is cause for caution. The reason for this is that everyone who is supporting him is from the opposing side.
The accolades coming from opposing political parties may be deceptive. To avoid falling prey to political deception, Governor Alex Otti must remain focused, determined, and committed to his original intentions for the state. He should not get carried away, but rather work to fine-tune the grey areas of his government.
To make a difference in people’s lives, as he stated at the first Executive Council Retreat, the Governor should remember his campaign slogan: “Weep No More, Help Is Here,” and ensure the happiness and prosperity of civil servants and Pensioners, who, along with their dependents, hold the majority of the voting power.
* ISIAKPU is a media/public relations consultant
.
