By Prince Tim Ogwuru
Abia, “God’s Own State”, is indeed blessed with great men and women who have earned global recognition, having excelled in their respective fields of endeavour.
The landmark achievements of the late Dr Michael Okpara as a premier of the defunct Eastern Region in Abia state, especially in agriculture, have arguably remained unrivalled by successive governors of south eastern states in general and Abia state in particular.
One of the qualities that will shape the choice of the next governor of Abia state is proven track record, competence, character and ability to make Abia state a business and industrial tiger for the South East.
Abia is an investor’s delight due to its huge potentials in the area of Commerce and Industry. Aba is littered with several industries that produces various products ranging from shoes, electric cables, clothing, carpenters’ tools, animal feeds, poultry cages, glass production, petrochemicals, industrial machines, auto parts, fishing materials to mention but a few.
Aba is not only the major commercial centre of the state, but also one of the commercial nerve centres of the eastern states. Residents of the commercial capital East of the Niger possesses are naturally gifted in reproducing any technological product manufactured anywhere in the world. Skilled and unskilled manpower abound in Abia State while Raw Materials for a vast array of products are readily available.
Abia State has many tourist sites such as the Azumini Blue River in Aba, Ojukwu Bunker at Umuahia, the long Juju of Arochukwu, the National Museum also in Aba and so many other areas of wonderful tourist attraction. Despite all these, good efforts have not been put in place by the state government to arouse and attract sufficient number of tourists to the state and earn sufficient revenue.
What the state has lacked over the years in a visionary and committed political driver that will lead the state away from infrastructural decay to a self-sufficient state, towering in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an industrial hub, academic and research centre of excellence and a haven for international investment.
In 2023, Abia state, does not need the normal politicians with bogus manifesto that cannot address the basic needs of Abia residence. Abia needs a Chief Executive that will address the poor state of roads, create an enabling environment for international investors to take our youths off the streets, upgrade Ariaria market to an international market, provide light to the industrial clusters, attract funding to startups, expose Aba products to international off-takers, ensure stable source of power to households, restore security and make the “Gods Own State” a home.
It is basically the need to turn around the deplorable state of affairs in the state that got Dr Alex Otti, a renowned economist, banker and investor, persuaded to take a foray into the murky waters of politics.
Dr. Alex is the man for the job. A tested job creator, a humble gentleman who has the capacity to cut off the illicit conduit pipes used by the old political order to milk the state dry.
A brilliant and unassuming gentleman, Otti is an enigma whose ways defy the “Nigerian convention.” He is humility personified; a man who, despite his enviable accomplishments, treats everyone with great respect. He is a rare breed who has continued to demonstrate uncommon ability to sacrifice personal comfort for the good of all.
Armed with practical ideas, contacts, professional experience and above all, the desire to do good, Otti is clearly the kind of person who can bring about the needed radical transformation in Abia State.
Despite not holding a political office, he has achieved more infrastructural and human capital development in his home state of Abia and in other parts of the country.
Otti has the energy, commitment and the right vision that will liberate Abia state. He has the resources, right temperament and political sagacity to dismantle the slavery of the old political order, use the wealth of the people to develop the state.
At a recent interactive meeting with stakeholders from Ehere Autonomous Community in Obingwa Local Government Area, he was asked, “Why are you desperate to govern Abia State?” In a classical response, he said that he was desperate to become the state governor in order to rescue Abia from the grip of those responsible for its gross underdevelopment and non-payment of salaries and pensions and reducing the state to one of the kidnappers and criminals.
Otti said: “I am desperate to be governor to work for Abia and rescue you from bondage. I am desperate to come and pay the salary of workers, teachers and pensioners, who have been neglected. I am desperate to build modern hospitals, quality infrastructure and good schools for our children. I am desperate to get Abia developed so that we cease to be a laughing stock in the comity of states. If this is what it means to be desperate, then I am desperate. Enough is enough. Abia must move forward.”
He further contended that “it is those who stole my mandate in 2015 that are desperate. This is why they have been in power for eight years without having anything meaningful to show for it.”
Otti’s ambition to govern Abia is driven essentially by his undying love for his state and passion to rescue it from further fleecing and plundering of its resources and impoverishment of the masses by the unscrupulous, greedy politicians.
Recall his relentless efforts to free Abians from the shackles of poor governance; earned him an aborted victory in the state’s governorship election in 2015. This time around, Abia residents are more determined to break the chains of slavery of the ruling party and are determined to take their destiny on their hands by voting for Dr. Alex Otti and the Labour party come March 18.
Tim A. Ogwuru (MA, Liverpool, MRIPA) writes from Abuja – Nigeria.
