Great Christmas, indeed! So many events and so many activities! So many returnees from home and abroad!
The Lagosians, especially members of the Ngwa Social Club and the Elite Club, all dislodged from the West into Abia. The Abuja-based political class, in their characteristic fashion, was homeward bound. The Diaspora community emptied into Abia like never before. There were burials, anniversary celebrations, thanksgiving services, cultural festivals and many more.
At all fora, discussions drifted to a stock-taking and a review of our political trajectory. The New Abia under Governor Alex Otti came under cross-examination. Otti, as a leader, was interrogated from the dock. The debate raged and there was one major, controlling topic: Work versus Largesse. Largesse is what, in the local parlance, is called handouts.
Every discussion, every conversation was a debate between the two standpoints; the merit of work and projects as against the temporary gratification of sharing of Abia largesse to the political cabals. The debate was stimulated by the smoldering complaints of government funds not flowing into the hand of the cartels and power brokers and tickling down the line as before.
The argument in support of the largesse centred on the notion that the New Abia was hard and harsh. But, the superior argument was the victory of the masses and the victory of posterity, for work and projects are for the masses and posterity. Thus, the proponents of the vision of work and projects carried the day in all the fora. The Christmas debate would later inspire me for a new year campaign in support of the governor and with the theme. The Victory of Work.
Indeed, the victory of the great projects being executed by Otti is a victory of service to the masses. The masses are the winner and the colony of cabals are the losers. The governor, by ignoring the cabals and cartels, and concentrating energy on building great monuments is upholding the utilitarian values of the greatest good for the greatest number.
The dying past of Abia was for the greatest good for a small number of godfathers and cabals. Today, Abia money is no more being shared by a select few but used to build monuments that will outlive our generation. The rural roads being developed under the Rural Access Mobility Project in the state will boost rural infrastructure and rural mobility by opening up the hinterlands. These roads will significantly impact several communities along their pathway, changing their lifestyles and creating new opportunities.
The road expansion projects will solve the problem of perennial trailer and big lorry gridlocks and eliminate the constant accidents that occur on these roads. It is a great lift that workers and pensioners are now receiving their salaries as at when due. The Otti regime is a windfall for traditional rulers in the state as he would now smile home every month. The state schools are returning to their former state of glory. The community health centers and General Hospitals across the state are being renovated and re-equipped for more effective services to the masses. The struggle being led by Governor Otti, therefore, is the struggle between the masses and the small cartel of power benefactors.
At the end, the masses will rise and win. There is going to be a total social transformation and a new social mobility with improvement in standard of living and a better guaranteed economic and social security for all. The masses will grow up in their careers and conquer their sealing because government has provided the enabling environment for growth. Thus, Otti’s visions are far-sighted beyond the immediate pecuniary greed of the cabals. It is about a vision to expand our frontiers of opportunities for a more meaningful life for the people.
Indeed, the circus of Christmas debates were good sessions of information and inspiration. It exposed our drawbacks and lit a light into a new pathway.
Adindu writes from Umuahia, Abia State capital
