Of late, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, his administration and the ruling Labour Party have been under intense public scrutiny over the expenses contained in the quarterly audited account of the state government recently published. The vociferous criticisms are coming mainly from vocal members of opposition political parties — the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party.
The critics are not relenting. They have addressed press conferences, held radio and television interviews and written petitions to anti-graft agencies locally and globally to express their disgust on the issue.
Amongst other contentions, the barrage of disapproval centre on the N54 billion, said to have been expended on the renovation of 51 public schools across the state, the N6:5 billion spent on the establishment of recreational facilities, inflated road contract sums, diversion of local government fund, none payment of gratuity, not running a transparent government and not being accountable to the people.
Notwithstanding the government stand of not being averse to constructive criticism, the adverse judgement passed by the critical opposition voices has expectedly kept the government uncomfortable. Otti, his media aides and other government officials, have been busy countering the scorching assaults to put the record straight as well as protect the reputation of the government.
For instance, the August 2025 edition of “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians”, was almost devoted to addressing the provocative allegations raised by one of the most expressive and vituperative critics of the administration.
Also, between 3 and 5 September 2025, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi organised a facility tour of the press of the three senatorial districts of the state. The fact-finding visit was to enable the journalists eye mark public schools completely renovated and those still undergoing renovation.
The Governor’s Media Adviser, Ferdinand Ekeoma; and Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Kalu Ukoha have equally been holding interviews on various media platforms to put the issues raised by the fault-finding critics in proper perspectives.
With it attendant checks and balances, criticism is one of the beauties and a veritable vessel for democracy to thrive. However, in as much as reproof healthy in a democratic set up, emerging thoughts since it was hinted that President Bola Tinubu is expected to pay an official visit to the state, tend to portray critics of the Otti administration as cynics.
They now perceive everything about the governor and his administration from prejudiced angle. This, to say the least, is cynicism. The outright distrust of the integrity of the governor. This is unfortunate. It should not be so in a civilized society like Abia. Why?
In spite of Otti’s short comings, critics of his administration ought to be true to themselves and acknowledge his uncommon milestones in governance of the state in the past two years and four months.
Painting the governor black as a total failure and insinuating that he has no respect for President Tinubu, all in a bid to truncate the proposed visit to Abia State is unpatriotic and a disservice to the state and her citizens.
If during and after President Tinubu’s expected visit on Friday, 3 October 2025 to commission Port Harcourt Road, Aba among others, Otti failed to acknowledge that increased receipts from the Federation Account Allocation Committee occasioned by the removal of petroleum subsidy is an enabler to his performance, he could then be accused of taking the glory alone.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and his Anambra State counterpart, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo were opportuned to thank and tell the President that the removal of oil subsidy enabled them to achieve when he visited their respective states. Otti expectedly will do the same as President Tinubu comes to Abia State.
A master political strategist, President Tinubu is well aware of the benefits of his proposed call on Abia State to his political future. Shielding the President from visiting AbiaState as these APC members, who loathe Otti, are trying to do, will deem his electoral fortunes in the state come 2027 as the state electorate are wont to conclude that Mr. President don’t like them nor need their vote if he doesn’t come.
Who knows, the visit could masterfully be utilised by President Tinubu to graciously hearken to the plea of the people of the Southeast geo-political zone to announce the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kalu from detention. Such amnesty will not only calibrate the victory of the President and APC in Abia State, but in the entire Southeast in 2027.
One therefore wonders if the APC members are striving to persuade the President not to look in to Abia mean well at all for his second term ambiti n? Gladly, Mr. President better understands the political risk of not showing up in Abia State than those dissuading him, hence he has consented to be the guest of Governor Alex Otti and the good people of Abia State on Friday, October 3, 2025.
For the best interest of Abia State and his in particular, it is most politically expedient that President Tinubu ignored the call on him to stay put in Abuja and chose to fraternise with his constituents in God’s Own State, Abia.
Thanks Mr. President for jettisoning the call of the cynics and for visiting Abia. You are most welcome.
Isiakpu is a public relations consultant
