Re: Otti’s “One-Man-Show”; Need for Decency in Government Communication

The persistent use of unrestrained and crude language by the current Abia State Government under Dr. Alex Otti, especially when confronted with legitimate criticism, is both disappointing and alarming. Rather than respond with reason or facts, the government  often resort to insults and propaganda, revealing a deep-seated intolerance for dissent and a governor more concerned with vainglory and superficial validation than with truth.

In a democracy, dissent and scrutiny are not threats, rather they are essential tools of accountability. Elected officials must remain open to differing opinions, even when uncomfortable. Most critics are not enemies; many speak out in a bid to correct, not to condemn.

Unlike the approach of the current factional Labour Party-led administration in Abia, the APC in the state under the leadership of its urbane and disciplined chairman has demonstrated maturity and decency in its communications and internal management. Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, a seasoned former banker, whose career spanned over 35  years from Citi bank Nigeria to Springbank before his retirement in 2009, has brought structure and civility to the party, helping it regain strength and unity.

The State Chairman clearly understands that the political dynamics which shaped the 2023 presidential election have significantly changed. This was evident on June 1st, 2025, in Bende during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Partners, where he made a deliberate effort to counter the false narratives often pushed by some Igbo politicians to mislead Ndigbo. He was unequivocal in his message that President Tinubu should be judged on his stewardship to Ndigbo and not through the lens of past grievances, especially the marginalisation that characterised the Past administrations, which adversely impacted the outcome of the 2023 Presidential election in the South-East. 

To remain mentally trapped in the political sentiments of the 2023 presidential election is shortsighted. The dynamics have shifted significantly. Today, Ndigbo occupy key national positions, including the Chief of Naval Staff, a Grade-A Minister, and the Number Six citizen of the country. These are opportunities that did not exist in 2023. It is now clear that Ndigbo must place their political weight where it truly matters, not on emotional, unrealistic campaigns fueled by personal ambition.

Dr. Ononogbu also provided a blunt but fair assessment of the Abia State Government’s performance. In just two years, the Otti administration has received over N700 billion in allocations which is more than four times what past governors had access to. Logically, Abia should be seeing transformational development on a scale four times far greater than its past. Instead, the reverse appears to be the case as Otti has refused to compete with present Governors who receive similar quadrupled allocations, instead, he prefers the past, to appear like he is actually improved, when he is akin to the proverbial one-eyed king in the land of the blind.  Despite these vast resources largely made available through President Tinubu’s federal economic reforms there is little to show in terms of real, measurable progress.

Governor Otti has engineered a well-coordinated propaganda machine, carefully crafted to mislead the unsuspecting public and attract hollow applause on social media. Yet, when confronted with facts, he becomes visibly defensive. Instead of prioritising meaningful development, his focus appears fixed on organising foundation-laying ceremonies designed more for optics and self-promotion than for actual delivery. A notable example is the widely publicised groundbreaking of the proposed Abia Integrated Industrial Park (AIIP)at Owaza. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, attended the event and offered praise based on the Governor’s ambitious promises. Today, however, the site remains deserted and overrun by weeds and rodents, Just like the Eyimba /Radisson blu Hotel project  while the Governor continues to revel in accolades earned through undelivered commitments.

This is not an isolated incident. Several APC leaders have likewise been misled into offering commendations based purely on verbal promises for projects that were later abandoned. Yet, Governor Otti continues to tout these praises as validation of his performance, when in reality, they are the result of calculated deception aimed at securing superficial applause.

More disturbing is Governor Otti’s obsession with who in the APC is “deceiving” President Tinubu, even as he secretly aligns with political figures openly hostile to the President and plotting to send him packing out from Aso Rock, like Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and former President Obasanjo, among others. Instead of focusing on his own affiliations and factional labour party presidential candidate, Otti tries to undermine those who openly support the President.

If Governor Otti cannot honestly admit that the financial capability to pay salaries comes from the increased federal allocations, all thanks to President Tinubu and not his “Otomokpo” some mystical economic prowess, then he cannot be trusted to represent the best interests of the President.

Abia APC is well-informed and ready to counter the false narratives that dominated the 2023 election cycle. Let it be known, it was Peter Obi’s popularity and not Otti’s that

achieved the 2023 electoral feat for Labour Party.  Otti lacks the political capital and sagacity , Mr. Obi can nolonger sway that same electorate again. Meanwhile, the APC in Abia is gaining ground through a wave of organic defections into its ranks far exceeding those joining the factional Labour Party controlled by Otti.

As expected after the intense 2023 primaries, the APC in Abia faced internal cracks. However, under the steady leadership of Dr. Ononogbu, the party has made remarkable progress in healing and unifying its ranks. Today, the APC boasts a cohesive State Working Committee along with harmonised ward and local government structures. What took place in Bende was just a preview of the momentum building across the state. The upcoming full-scale state rally will clearly showcase the renewed strength and unity of the APC in Abia.

Abia deserves more than personal ambition disguised as governance. It cannot continue under a system where one individual exploits public office to grow private business interests. What the state truly needs is shared prosperity, visible progress, and a government that serves everyone, not just a select few. Abia APC is prepared to offer genuine leadership, committed to improving both the welfare of the people and the development of critical infrastructure.

Signed.

Comrade Emma Adiele,

Media Aide to Abia State APC Chairman.