ABIA – GOD’S OWN STATE: What’s Next? 

By Ifeanyi Daniel Ofodum

In the words of the 44th President of the United States of America, President Barrack Obama, politics can’t be engaged in successfully without the element of comprise. The element of compromise in politics, as ambiguous as it sounds, could mean anything depending on who does the interpretation. What it is in the United States might be a far cry from what it is in the Nigerian State; albeit, compromise is compromise in spite of the geographical clime in which it impacts the political process.

Compromise in politics might not necessarily be the element of corruption but could be in terms of deciding to let things go even when you have the wherewithal and the locus standi to push a particular course of action. It could as well be in terms of deciding not to speak on a matter even when you have tons of thoughts bubbling within you. (If Senator Orji Uzor Kalu kept his thoughts about Igbos and the Nigerian Presidency to himself probably by now he would have been the President of the Nigerian Senate).

Going forward, one could as well argue that using the manual voters’ register instead of the electronic transmission of results in real time was an element of comprise on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); that, however, is left for the courts of competent jurisdiction to interpret.

In general terms, whatever is seen as the element of compromise in a political interchange all boils down to the predetermined or predesigned lens on which one’s paradigm or perspective about life is predicated upon. 

One might choose to profit from a political office while another chooses to simply serve then walk away. One might choose to use political power to drive, partly, one’s personal interests while another chooses to drive solely people-based interests. One might also choose to be ethnic in one’s political outlook while another chooses to be all-inclusive.

In the final analysis, the reality of compromise in the political matrix simply makes politics a game of interests, intrigues and the interplay of power.

The emergence of Dr. Alex Otti as the 5th democratically elected Governor of Abia, God’s Own State is a testament to the efficacy and the preponderancy of the words of scriptures that God still rules in the affairs of men. From his political history in 2010, he has contested for the gubernatorial elections thrice but was only successful once in his most recent bid in 2023. Many alleged that he actually won it in his first outing in 2011 but was never declared the winner. Whatever the case may be behind the scenes, I see it from this perspective that when a political role is yours to take and it’s your time to reign, everything within creation aligns in honour of you.

Until everything within creation including INEC, its chairman and returning officers line up to favour your righteous cause, you might just see it that your time is not yet come. The sphere beyond what physical eyes can see knows better than what we humans see. Waiting for three political windows to eventually emerge as the Executive Governor of Abia State is no mean feat. 

However, it was just more than the ‘waiting game’ because the One in whose hand lies all power still had a say in it through some vessels of clay that chose to uphold a righteous cause.

Firstly, Dr. Otti rode upon the ‘labour wave’ of His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi and his ‘Obidient Movement’; secondly, he enjoyed the positive character trait, dogged persistence, and leadership integrity of the INEC’s returning officer in the state’s governorship election in the person of Professor Nnenna Oti. (With some resemblance in the names, it seemed Professor Nnennaya’s ‘Oti’ with one ‘t’ was on a mission from the GODS to work in favour of Dr. Alex’s ‘Otti’ with a double ‘t’).

Despite having waited for three political seasons, it still took the aforementioned factors to ensure that Dr. Otti’s delayed political destiny was delivered to his doorstep – everything lined up in concordant harmony because his time has come.

Sometimes, it takes patience or long waiting to achieve something of worth. In as much as I am not a member of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), but I commend the grit and patience of the current president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Political history has it that as a founding father of the APC, it was his slot to fill the Vice Presidential role under President Buhari’s administration. He gave it up for his protégée Professor Yemi Osibanjo and waited for 8 years to have his shot at the presidency despite being a sponsor-in-chief in the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as president.

In spite of the perceived irregularities surrounding the elections, my point of note is that nature has a way of rewarding one’s faith and patience. Not many Nigerians would let go of a vice presidential slot when it is theirs for the taking just to wait for 8 solid years for an un-guaranteed shot at becoming Nigeria’s Commander in Chief. 

In any event though, even if the reverse becomes the new reality at the courts, then the man would beat his chest and bow out in the knowledge that his lifelong dream saw & experienced the spark of presidential daylight.

As at the time of streaming my thoughts together to make this piece of intelligence a product for public consumption, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains Nigerian President; and such grit, faith, patience and perseverance was, in like manner, exhibited in the aspiration of Dr. Alex Otti in pursuit of the mandate to restore Abia to its glory days since the era of Dr. Sam Onunaka Mbakwe.

With his victory at the polls, inauguration into office, and a successful state thanksgiving service, Dr. Alex needs to hit the ground running. His inaugural speech shows that he is fired up to deliver the dividends of democracy to all Abians. He stated that:

“My task is to dry your tears and help you to rediscover who you are and lead you back to the pathway of sustainable growth, development, and prosperity.” “Our earnest desire is to turn our electoral victory into an instrument for improved fortunes of all well-meaning people.”

However, it is worthy to note that beyond the finesse & symphonic rhymes associated with inaugural speeches, Dr. Alex’s leadership capacity must be put to an acid test considering the enormous challenge that he is faced with in terms of transforming Abia’s age-long decadence. Social index factors arguably show that Abia seems to be the least state in the South East in terms of social infrastructure. Four years might not be enough to change the fortunes of the state but is certainly more than enough to make an assertive statement of developmental strides.

First things first, Dr. Alex Otti must live out his gubernatorial mandate as if his predecessor does not exist. He should desist from the pressures of witch-hunting any friend or foe but focus on making his leadership instincts count. Don’t look back.

Scripturally speaking, Lot’s wife did and she became a pillar of salt at Soddom. Politically speaking, Hon. Ihedioha did and he became a pillar of sand in Imo. Four years is a rare gift from nature to explore the possibilities ahead of you rather than digging into the irregularities behind you. Having everything within your powers to go that political route but choosing not to is not just a sign of political sagacity but could also be the element of ‘compromise’ for successful & sustainable politicking.

Every work man is worthy of his wages. But where the ‘wages’ is beyond the ‘work’ put in, just let it go and surge ahead. There is always more ahead. In the end, the law will always have its course when the time is ripe. However, I’ll rather choose not to instigate such courses so as to avoid a major political distraction.

Even if the decadence in the state is what only the devil could be proud of, as a rule of nature, there is always the element of positivity in all negativity just as there is the element of insecurity to every guaranteed security – the key to every safe house is always outside the safe house which creates the element of insecurity.

I see Abia’s decadence differently from the average perspective. Embrace it full option as your unique destiny because you are an erudite scholar, an enlightened fellow, a technocrat, and a man with statecraft intelligence. The decadence in Abia is a veritable platform to bring your leadership qualities to bare, create lasting solutions and legacies; transform the state in the next four years, and become the people’s hero which positions you, effortlessly, for another term in office.

The roads in Abia are crying for a touch of Julius Berger Construction Company especially the ones in Aba. Even if you were to channel the bulk of state resources towards reconstructing and rehabilitating Aba roads, markets, and the general merchandise in Abia within the next four years, you would have surpassed average expectations. The economic setback in Aba is as a result of bad roads and the dilapidation of markets.

To restore Aba’s potential as a leading trade destination in Nigeria and West African subregion, major roads in Aba must be reconstructed and rehabilitated; and the markets must be raised to good standards thereby boosting the internally generated revenues through increased business activities. The policy on markets also needs to be reviewed so that those that were affected by the demolition exercises carried out by the previous government would be duly compensated somehow.

The federal roads leading into Aba must of necessity be a priority. The expressway from Portharcourt to Aba and from Akwa Ibom to Ogborhill axis must be tackled forthwith through federal and state government partnership. The link roads from Faulks Road by Ukwu Mango to Old Express Road connecting Omuma Road, and Uratta Road connecting Portharcourt Road should be a matter of state urgency.

Once these link roads are handled with other major roads, Aba will breathe a sense of economic fresh air. Other areas in the state should not be left out. The road linking Isiukuwato, Akoli Imenyi, Alayi, Igbere, Abiriba, Ohafia all the way down to Arochukwu also requires urgent attention. The road is almost consumed and decimated by erosion towards its Abiriba axis.

I believe that road construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation will play a critical role in the success of Dr. Alex’s administration. The enormous work required to transform Abia State will determine to a larger extent the calibre of persons needed to occupy political positions in the state. It will take being more than just an ally of His Excellency or being a loyalist to qualify for a place in his cabinet. The notion of coming to profit excessively from political office is even out of the question.

The unsung political mantra is that of service, service, and more service to the people. This is why His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi advised Governor Otti during the State Thanksgiving Service to focus on improving the lives of the poor masses in the state rather than enriching the rich. On a lighter note it simply implies – “Let the poor breathe; don’t suffocate them. That should be your responsibility!”

Dr. Otti in his words noted that public office is a platform for improving society. Anyone taking up a leadership role in his administration should know that the season of political profiteering is over. You must be someone that is sold out towards quality service to the state, its citizens and residents.

Restoring the glory days of God’s Own State would require more than just being in the office and crafting sound socio-economic policies for good governance. It will take an Ike Nwosu style of leadership under the military administration of Abia State from 1993 to 1994.

The Brigadier General leaves the cozy atmosphere of his office, hits the streets of Abia, and ensures that every directive of government is followed to the letter. He shows up unexpectedly at motor parks, marketplaces, construction sites, government offices and parastatals for inspection and experiencing a firsthand pulse of what it feels like on the streets under his administration. His style of administration gave him a better connection with people, made civil servants sit up, and ensured that governance was effectively and efficiently working at all levels.

The declaration of state of emergency on refuse disposal and waste management in Aba and Umuahia is a crystal case in point. The taskforce in charge might be assiduously discharging their duties but it has not been effective in tackling the menace of refuse in the state. It demands more hands on deck and an aggressive waste management model for a lasting solution. 

This can only be known when you move around to inspect the extent to which directives & policy instruments of government are pursued effectively and efficiently. When one or two arrests have been made and fines paid, Abians will change from the perennial habit of disposing waste arbitrarily on the streets.

Conclusively, I commend Dr. Otti on his recent political appointments. Having the oversight function on the performance index for each office holder will ensure his policies produce the predesigned outlook for the state. Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity is a square peg in a square hole. 

Going forward, as an advocate for Transformational Leadership, I believe that Mr. Bertrand Okeomah, the Secretary Planning Committee will be a political asset to your administration if given the opportunity to work as a cabinet member. The man has so much up his leadership sleeves.

And I also do hope that the book by yours truly, titled – Career Excellence: 21 Meta Principles for Workplace Effectiveness with a written Foreword by you, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti will serve as a timely manual for workplace effectiveness in the state’s civil service.

Congratulations Your Excellency. Best wishes and God’s speed as we all look forward to a transformed Abia; that’s next!

Ifeanyi Daniel Ofodum – Resource Person & an Advocate for Transformational Leadership |

Lead Consultant – Passion & Living Resources Int’l Abuja | Author of The Books – Career Excellence: 21 Meta Principles for Workplace Effectiveness | Global Impact: Business, Career, Finance, Strategy, Leadership |