“Truth is bitter but must be said,” says a popular maxim. An American businessman, philantropist and author, William Clement Stone, puts it this way: “Truth will always be truth, regardless of lack of understanding, disbelief or ignorance.”

The Abia Governor, Dr Chioma Alex Otti, began to receive accolades for his exemplary and focused leadership qualities from prominent Nigerians in the early days of his administration. Some of those endorsements and words of commendation and encouragement came from Nigerians of high political standing and integrity, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, amongst others.

May it suffice here to reproduce a synopsis and some excerpts of those endorsements in order to refresh our memories:

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo:

The highly respected elder statesman and former Preaident, who was on a courtesy visit to Gov. Otti on March 22, 2024, said: “I will urge you to pay adequate attention to infrastructure because if you give infrastructure and you give the type of leadership you are giving now, the people of this state have nothing to worry about because they are enterprising on their own.

“The pension scheme for former governors here is atrocious. It’s like daylight robbery because it allows them to have a house in Abuja and elsewhere and cart away with whatever they feel like carting away yet the pension for ordinary people is unpaid. What sort of leadership is that?

“And you came and you said there will be an end to that rascality. I congratulate you and I say to you that I hope that some of your colleagues will follow in your footsteps.

“You have started but you should never be tired.

“You will be discouraged, you will be abused, you will be called names but if we have one-third of our states doing what should be done this country will be a different country and you are doing what should be done.”

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala:

The quintessential financial guru and administrator par excellence delivered her speech virtually at the inauguration of the 2023 Abia Transition Council in the commercial city of Aba in April 2023.

She said: “I have hope that through Gov. Alex Otti, there is a unique chance to set Abia on the right side of development and modernisation in governance through disruptive digital technology.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu:

“Abia State Governor, H.E., Dr Alex Otti (OFR), is one of those giving Nigeria positive image abroad”.

The President’s statement was delivered by the Managing Director/CEO, Rt. Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, during a visit to the Abia governor.

Vice President Kashim Shetima.

He was in Abia to inaugurate some roads in Aba rehabilitated by Gov. Otti in the first quarter of his administration.

He said: “The outpouring of emotions and support by the people for Gov. Alex Otti is a testament to good governance from a vigilant population not willing to be taken for granted.

“The governor is well aware that in having the mandate of the people, he must reciprocate the unreserved love of the people towards him by working to improve their lot from what it was to that which is desired.”

House of Representatives:

Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Security, led by Hon. Obi Aguocha, who visited Umunneochi, as part of their oversight function, spoke glowingly about the security situation in the state.

They said: “Your Excellency, as we approached Lokpanta, we saw a different environment at which point I asked Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah what is happening here.

“So much has happened there. He told us that together with himself you have taken a decision to do the needful to sanitize the environment and chase out the hoodlums, who were being harboured there.”

The Spokesman of the team, Rt. Hon. Kwamoti Bitrus Laori from Adamawa, commended Gov. Otti for his proactive approach to security in the region.

Laori said, “You have really done a lot in respect of security because whoever gets up to speak would always commend you for your efforts, even the security personnel there confirmed that. I want to appreciate you specifically for that.”

Late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu

Late President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led the chieftains of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation on a courtesy visit to Gov. Otti.

In a speech, Iwuanyanwu said: “We are interested in knowing how people we put in power are doing. Our field officers have provided an excellent assessment of your performance, Gov. Otti, classifying it as ‘A’ in our esteemed ranking.

“You are a good son of Igboland and we are proud of you.

“Keep up with the good work you are doing as Governor of Abia State.”

The icing on the cake, which was more like the prophet being honoured by his own people, were the flowery encomia from Abia’s political juggernauts, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, et al.

Kalu, who paid a courtesy visit to the governor, said: “I came here to tell the whole world that you are doing well.

“As the Deputy Speaker, you are not in my party, though I am regretting
that you’re not in my party.

“But I want you to know that among the people that came here with me are members of other political parties, the people that are pleased with what you are doing.

“I came to tell you that you are bringing out the name of Abia.

“We are solidly recovering our dignity, raising our shoulders because of your selfless approach to governance. You are living up to your pledge.

“We are seeing the signs that the steps you are taking will take us to the Promised Land.

“I have sat down to analyse your approach. Your approach is, do a general work for the people first before individuals.

“We are seeing it. We will stand by you come rain, come shine.”

Sen. Adolphus Wabara, another strong political figure in the state, a former Senate President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PDP (Abia’s main opposition party), has this to say about the current administration: “Gov. Otti’s achievements in the first year in office is historic!

“His reliability and integrity have guaranteed him a second term in office, thanks to his outstanding performance.”

Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan:

The former Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, who has her maternal root in Abia, also paid special tribute to the governor, when she visited in 2023.

She said: “This is my home and I have come to visit my brother, my Governor in whom I’m well pleased. He’s my mentor.

“When I was in government, he supported me as a brother. I have come to share experience with him and tell him congratulations, well done.

“Abia is our home. Anytime, anyday he calls me, I will be there for him. He is doing very, very well. He started well and I know he will end well.

“You can see that there is no dirt again in Abia State. You can see all the road works going on.

“You can drive around and there is no dirt, no smell anywhere. You can breathe fresh air.

“That’s why I’m here to tell him, congratulations,” she said.

Also in the bandwagon was the Generals-General, Rtd. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, the former Chief of Army Staff and an APC chieftain.

Azubuike spoke when the governor commissioned the 11.5km Nunya-Eluama Road in Isuikwuato LGA for reconstruction.

He said: “I have watched this administration since inception and I am so happy with what is happening in Abia currently.

“When we talk of good governance, it is about infrastructure and security.

“Please, Your Excellency, Gov. Alex Otti, continue on this path because you are on the right path and the people are with you.

“You can count on my support always.

“I pledge that any time I am home on weekends, I will visit the site to help supervise this road construction to ensure that specifications given by the ministry of works are adhered to. For the first time, detailed specifications are given by the ministry on work to be done.”

A forum of former Speakers of the state House of Assembly, led by the immediate past Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, including Chief Stanley Ohajuruka, Chief Arua Arunsi, Agwu U. Agwu, Chief Christopher Enweremadu, Chief Martins Azubuike and Chief Chikwendu Kalu, has also expressed profound appreciation of the good works of the governor.

In a speech during their courtesy call on the governor, Oko Chukwu said: “Abia is our own. It belongs to all of us and that is the reason we are happy with what you are doing.

“As critical stakeholders, we want to assure you that we will bring our wealth of experience to bear in supporting you.”

Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah:

An oil merchant and Abia
Governorship contender, Chief Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, also had some kind words for the present administration.

He said: “Gov. Otti has my unwavering support. Moreso, he is doing what I would have done, if elected governor.

“I commend H.E., Dr Alex Otti, for his transparency and urge critics to provide constructive criticism instead of being overly critical.”

Elder statesman and Ochiagha Ibeku, Prince Benjamin Apugo, a no-nonsense chieftain of APC and irrepressible advocate of good governance, showered praises on the governor, when he visited him, saying that “Gov. Alex Otti has done well.

“I stand before you today not merely as a member of the APC but as a concerned citizen of Abia State.

“For me, the allegiance lies not with any political party but with the advancement and prosperity of our dear state.

“I care deeply about the progress and development of Abia and I saw in Gov. Otti a beacon of hope, a leader capable of revitalising our state and restoring it to its former glory.

“Before Gov. Otti ascended to office, I urged the people of Abia to cast aside political affiliations and rally behind a leader who could usher in a new era of prosperity.

“I did not concern myself with party politics – my sole focus was on the promise of progress and positive change that Gov. Otti represents.

“Gov. Otti has exceeded my expectations.

“His dedication to the welfare of our people, his tireless efforts to combat corruption and unwavering vision for a prosperous Abia have reignited the flame of hope within our hearts.”

“Today, we stand on the precipice of a new dawn.

“With Gov. Otti at the helm, I am confident that Abia will emerge stronger, more resilient and more prosperous than ever before.

“Let us cast aside the shackles of division and unite in pursuit of a brighter future for generations to come.”

Gladly, today, Abia has emerged “stronger, more resilient and more prosperous than ever before” as rightly predicted by BB Apugo.

The words of encouragement and commendation from respected elder statesmen from within and without Abia further propelled and fired the governor’s commitment and spirit to acquit himself and also justify the huge confidence reposed in him by the common man as well as the high and mighty in society.

And so, having put his best foot forward, it has been work, work, work, beginning from his inauguration as Abia’s fourth executive governor.

The concomitant result of his commitment and hardwork was the mother of all commendations and an endorsement, coming from no other than a proven Nigerian political colossus and Methuselah of the reverred red chambers of the National Assembly, the inimitable and indomitable Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe.

The astute lawmaker, representing Abia South Senatorial District, is not associated with idle or flippant talks. His words are measured, weighty and highly respected, resonating across the entire Igboland and beyond.

His blunt and fearless New Year pronouncement when he visited the governor did not only stir widespread public discourse, majorly in the positive, but also caused a discomfiting nightmare within the camp of the opposition PDP in the state.

Today, the ragtag, disjointed remnants of Abia PDP chieftains belly ache and bleed! They have perpetually been silenced. No more noise and the flicker of hope for 2027 permanently dashed. It is now every one to his tent!

The former Abia Deputy Governor truly and frankly poured out his heart, without caring a hoot about whose ox is gored, after his sincere and modest evaluation of the Gov. Otti’s government.

He specifically hailed the governor’s impressive strides in infrastructure development, saying: “Even though my party is APGA and his party is Labour, we feel that we have gone beyond party, and we are now at the point of governance.

“So, I came to encourage him. He’s done so well and we wanted to make sure that we continue to inspire him to do much more for the people of Abia.

“I think second tenure is still very far away but I do not see any stumbling block on the way, if we go by what he has done at this point,” Abaribe said with a haughty chuckle, blended with an aura of confidence.

Truly speaking, Gov. Otti has left solid and memorable footprints on the sands of history, barely 19 months into his first four years in office.

The new development paradigm unfolding in Abia certainly gladdens the heart of every well-meaning, progressive, non-partisan, development-minded Abia indigene and non-indigene.

This is so because the state had gone through unimaginable degree of deceit and exploitation, pillaging and squandermania of its material wealth by transactional and mercantile political leaders, who bestrode the Abia political landscape for more than two decades, leaving it to helplessly bleed into a state of coma up until May 29, 2023 – the final day of its redemption and revival. To God be the glory!!!

– Eagle Okoro is a Public Affairs analyst and writes from Umuahia