Come over to Abia and see rulership in action through Gov Alex Chioma Otti.”Nwoke Okpo insist.
By: Sam Obinna Ibe/Umuahia
Without doubt,His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, Abia State Governor has proved the bookmakers right as the gooden fish that has no hidden place.
He is now the talk of the town,the cynosure of all eyes going by what he has been doing to change the poor narratives of Abia State better than he met it before assuming office as the fifth Executive Governor of God’s own state on May 29,2023.
The common refrain today everywhere you go,is that Governor Alex Otti is performing, he is opening up Abia State as a centre for tourists attraction,he is redefining governance that has human face,contrary to what it was before his assumption of office.
Others are extolling him for changing the infrastructural deficits of Abia State to today a model beautiful state worthy of emulation.
If one is in doubt,let him just take to a trip to the state capital,go round the town from Abia Tower of Peace, off Enugu Port Harcourt Express way,then pass through Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard through Okpara square,the aesthetic beauty it behold could better be imagined than described.
A trial I have often heard people say will convince you even to the doubting Thomas.
Pass through Bank road and if you have not visited the state capital the last seven or eight months,and see if you can still recognize that you are still in the old library road renamed Bank road,the kind of expansion will marvel you,the reconstruction of the road will convince one that Gov Otti came and was really prepared for the task ahead.
Is it on regular payment of salaries and pensions to Abia workers and retirees? ,is it a boost in the education sector where education is free and compulsory to the primary and junior secondary school levels?,to an effect that he made it a punishable offence for parents who would allow Abia children to hawk when they are supposed to be in the school.
Observers also say Governor Alex Otti Labour Party led Government is also given impetus to health sector,in the primary, secondary and Tertiary centres in addition to investing heavily on security.
Under Commerce and industry,the ministries are also not left out as His Excellency,Gov Alex Otti is busy opening up the hitherto impassable roads, interestingly those investors that ran away before due unfriendly business environment are today coming back to the state,ready to invest,thanks to the good condusive business environment provided by Gov Alex Otti led administration.
Speaking on turn around of Abia State as a huge construction site for under the watch of the visionary Governor, Dr Alex Otti,a heavy duty lorry driver and an admirer of the good work the number one citizen is doing in Abia State,Mr Nwoke Okpo who hails from Isuikwuato local government area of Abia State appreciated Gov Otti for fixing the roads that leads to his LGA,
Nwoke Okpo noted that for example, from Uzuakoli Akara junction road and Nunya Eluama Isuikwuato road,are now very motorable to go his Isuikwuato LGA.
To this end,he however applauded governor Otti for his exemplary leadership prowess which he is bringing to bear ,with commendation galores from all and sundry.
According to him ” Come and see Nunya Isuikwuato road,the road is now motorable,one can see competent contractor handling the road reconstruction”and the good work the contractor is doing in the said road .
Speaking against the backdrop of his wife travelling home over the weekend,he said the road to Isuikwuato from Umuahia is now motorable whether you are passing through Uzuakoli Akara junction down Isuikwuato or Nunya Eluama Isuikwuato,
Nwoke okpo noted with satisfaction that it will now take you less than 30 minutes to get there, courtesy of good reconstruction of the roads by Gov Alex Otti led administration in Abia State.
Still appreciating the developmental strides recorded so far under the administration of Dr Alex Chioma Otti OFR,as the Executive Governor of Abia State,Nwoke okpo extolled Abia Governor for changing the face of the state through massive roads infrastructural developments going on simultaneously in all the three Senatorial District of Abia State, noting that this is indeed a governor who has come to work for the people.
According to him”this is the kind of rulership the state deserves now, especially so,with what the banker- turned politician is doing to correct the poor infrastructural deficits that dots the landscape of Abia,that made Abia State then refered to as a laughing stock in the comity of all states in Nigeria while the previous administrations held sway in the state”
While appreciating and praising Gov Otti to high heaven for the dawn a new Abia,Nwoke okpo known for his boldness in calling a spade a spade and not by other names likened the emergence of Dr Alex Otti as Executive Governor of Abia State as a dream come true,as people’s answered prayers., adding that Abia State would not have had any better alternative as their governor.
In an interview with this reporter,he said”There is no part of the state that has not received attention from the on going infrastructural transformation initiative of Dr Alex Chioma Otti led government.
“Come and see what is called rulership by example,in the past, the same road was awarded by the past PDP,but not too long,the road collapsed and became impassable until the performing governor arrived, with his magic wand,”Nwoke okpo declared.
However,Nwoke okpo is not the only one singing praises of what our visionary governor has been doing to take Abia to the next level of development.
Abia Governor,Dr Alex Otti has been receiving commendation galores from well meaning Abians and others who are appreciative of giant strides recorded by his administration so far in the state,just less than two years in office.
For example,last Sunday,16th February,2025, during the 80th birthday anniversary celebration of Dr Eme Okoro, the former Secretary to the State Government, SSG,under Gov Okezie Ikpeazu was yet another opportunity to pour encomiums to the man who has redefined governance in Abia less than two years in the saddle.
The said birthday anniversary celebration of an accomplished technocrat,Dr Eme Okoro took place at Ochendo International Conference Centre Ogurube layout, Umuahia, wherein the embattled BOT Chairman of PDP, Senator Adolf Wabara restated his appreciation for the good works His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti OFR, Executive Governor of Abia State; has been doing in Abia State
Wabara added that as an elder statesman, nothing will stop him from speaking truth to power irrespective of party affiliation, particularly since election has come and gone,with elected officers facing the task of delivering their manifesto,as an experienced politician who has seen it all in politics and administration cannot keep mum when identifiable evidences (track records )are staring everyone in the face.
At the said colourful ceremony of Dr Eme Okoro’s 80th birthday,” Wabara said he was a citizen of Abia State before becoming a member of PDP while praising the good work Gov Alex Otti is doing in Abia State.
According to him” “Before becoming a PDP card-carrying member, before becoming an NRC card-carrying Member in this State, I, Adolphus Nduneweh Wabara, was first and foremost a citizen of Abia.
“Politics ends after campaigns, after elections and then you start thinking of governance. Even a blind man can see what is happening in Abia! And, I am saying it again! Maybe now since they said I was suspended, they can now expel me.
“But, having said so, sir, continue with the works; our ancestors in Abia are with you”, Senator Wabara declared.
He jokingly called on the PDP leadership in the State to go on air the next day to suspend Dr. Emelike Okoro, whom Governor Otti came to celebrate.
Senator. Wabara who vowed that nobody can suspend him in the PDP for speaking the truth that everyone can see, even the blind can see the good works of Gov Alex Otti, pointing out that he would continue to appreciate Governor Otti for the good works he is doing.
“I will be one of those who will continue to appreciate you. I have not mentioned labour Party; I have always mentioned Governor Alex Otti. We are all with you,” the BOT chairman of PDP declared.
Senator. Wabara said that Governor Otti who they never wanted to be Governor is the one recovering the State from the ruins of bad governance.
Also speaking, the celebrant, Dr. Emelike Okoro, said that Governor Otti has brought a breath of fresh air to Abia State. He commended the Governor for the recent flag of the reconstruction of Onuinyang- Okporoenyi- Oboro road traversing Bende LGA in Abia North Zone of the State and Ikwuano LGA in Abia Central Zone of the State, saying that it will no doubt boost the agricultural sector of the state from that corridor.
Dr. Okoro recalled what he told Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe when he came to seek his support for governorship, saying that he told him that he would not back him for governorship and that he should go back to the Senate and remain Nma Agha ndi Igbo (the sword of the Igbos).
He said that he was looking for a breath of fresh air. Looking at the Governor, the octogenarian said, “Alex Otti, you have brought a breath of fresh air.”
Dr. Okoro said that one of the things that amazes him about Governor Otti is his accessibility, saying that he always answers his calls.
In addition, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa also praised what Gov Alex Otti is doing in infrastructural developments of Abia State, said in terms of infrastructural developments,Alex Otti is doing well,I say it everywhere.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the 80th birthday anniversary celebration of former Secretary to Abia State Government, SSG, Dr Eme Okoro, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa who was the Chairman, Committee of Friends said in assessing the performance appraisal of Gov Otti so far,that Government is segmented and that he has done very well in Infrastructural developments of Abia,that he should be commendable for.
According to him,” in terms of infrastructural developments,he has done very well,I can say it everywhere”.
Meanwhile, speaking during the event, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti eulogize Dr Eme Okoro saying that their relationship is like father and mentor having known the former Abia SSG for years with their closeness that transcends politics.
Governor Alex Otti congratulated Dr. Emelike Okoro on his 80th birthday, saying that he has turned “80 years younger.” He explained that his relationship with Dr. Okoro transcends politics, saying that he is like a father and mentor to him.
The Governor restated that his administration does not tolerate any form of segregation, maintaining his stance that so long as you live in Abia and do the things expected of a citizen, you are from Abia. He described Abians as people of excellence and called on those living on primordial sentiments to wake up and embrace the new Abia that his administration is building which is anchored on excellence, capacity, competence, equity, and so on
Governor Otti, who called for a return to the culture of respect for the elders, which the Igbos are known for, warned those insulting the elders in the name of politics or whatever reason to desist from doing so as such, has curses, which, if pronounced by the elders become effectual.
Governor Otti said that it is in the spirit of respecting the elders that he attended the Birthday celebration of Dr. Okoro and will continue to do so irrespective of party affiliation. He went on to announce that he will return to the International Conference Center next to celebrate Senator Abaribe, who turns 70 years by the 1st of March, and Senator Chris Adighije, who turns 80 years, on March 22nd.
Earlier,the Chairman, Central Organizing Committee, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu,the former Deputy Governor of Abia State appreciated dignitaries who turned out in their numbers to honour an elder statesman,Dr Eme Okoro at 80.
The former Deputy Governor of Abia State however described Dr Eme Okoro as an exemplary leader and outstanding scholar whose immense contributions in facets of life is known to everybody hence the galaxy of personalities across party lines that came to celebrate the former Abia SSG under Dr Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration.
It is therefore interesting to note that testimonies abound on the good things Gov Alex Otti is doing, he interacts freely irrespective of political party one belongs ,in effect practices politics without bitterness. And this is not the first time,the Abia Governor had been attended events organized by other political parties in the state whether invited or not, he would attend to show maturity.
When the former National Chairman of PDP ,late Prince Vin Ogbulafor died, Gov Otti did not only attend the burial ceremony,but while going back home,as a mark of respect,stopped over to greet,a distinguished an elder statesman,,Senator Chris Adighije at his Okwu Olokoro country home and spent quality time with the APC chieftain counterpart.
Again,when Abia PDP honoured their BOT Chairman, Senator Adolf Wabara at Event Centre,Okpara square sometimes June last year,Gov Otti surprisingly stunned into exclusive PDP event to the applause of everyone including the rival political party that marvelled at the maturity displayed by Gov Alex Otti unlike what was obtainable in the past where some former governors could hardly attend their political opponents events.
To say the least,as soon as he entered the Event Centre arena,the shouts of” Gov Alex Otti” rents the air as he literally stoled the show on the said day too.
It was also on the strength of that political maturity that he once again exhibited when Abia Govt graced the birthday celebration of opposition party in the state. Not only that ,the governor also approved the use of International Conference,ICC Centre Ogurube layout Umuahia for the organizers of the occasion to use ,this show of maturity was unheard of during the previous administrations in the state,it is no wonder Abians are insisting that Gov Alex Otti is the best thing that happened to God’s own state in 2023 when he was elected Governor and has not failed in delivering fruits of democracy to the good people of Abia State.
This perhaps explain the reason why the likes of Nwoke okpo from Isuikwuato and other Abians,non Abians are insisting that come over to Abia and see rulership in action under the dynamic leadership of the Globally acknowledged performing governor of Abia State.
To God who gave us a messiah ,to liberate Abia from many years of bad governance,that hitherto reduced our state to a laughing stock ,but a state to be reckoned with in terms of massive infrastructural developments,to Him alone be the glory.
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