By Victor Oguamalam
Impunity has become a trait closely associated with the name of Governor Alex Otti. Apparently, he is in a fierce battle to conceal his hypocritical dispositions and tendencies. Otti prides himself on being smart, but this self-adulation can be seen as self-delusional.
To outsiders, particularly non-Abians and Nigerians in the diaspora, Otti may appear as a messiah figure, credited with building social amenities and managing the resources of Abia State prudently. However, this curated image is nothing more than a carefully crafted media illusion rather than a true reflection of his accomplishments.
The reality is that Otti’s administration in Abia State has been marred by controversy and a blatant disregard for transparency and accountability.
Otti’s government has been accused of squandering N54 billion on renovating “ghost public schools” that exist only on paper. The absence of tangible evidence or a comprehensive list of these so-called renovated schools has continued to raise serious questions about the governor’s commitment to education and fiscal responsibility.
On another plank, Otti’s Primary Health Care projects have been plagued by allegations of fraudulent duplication. This is a clear indication of the governor’s lack of regard for the welfare of Abia’s citizens and his propensity for mismanaging public funds. Yet, Otti has remained silent in the face of growing outrage over these projects.
However, his most egregious offense is the decision to unilaterally, unjustifiably, and unconstitutionally run the state’s affairs from his private residence in Umuehim Village, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. This blatant disregard for the principles of transparency and accountability is a major dent in his administration.
Running a state like a personal fiefdom, yet with public funds is unconscionable. The full extent of the disservice it is doing to Abia may not be fully realized until Otti leaves office. Holding State Executive Council meetings, major state functions, and high-profile contract signings in his private residence, away from official state premises, paints a troubling picture of opacity. This simply means that Otti can choose not to document activities, making accountability almost impossible.
But let’s not mince words. The people of Abia State are still reeling from the shock of Otti’s self-righteousness and overhyped performance, which has left many wondering if they made a grave mistake by electing him. The honeymoon is over, and the harsh reality of his governance style has begun to bite.
Many of those who enthusiastically supported Otti’s candidacy are now grinding their teeth in regret and disbelief. His holier-than-thou attitude, once seen as a refreshing change, has turned out to be nothing but a façade. The warning signs were always there, but many chose to ignore them.
Otti’s chameleonic nature and selfish tendencies were well-documented long before he became governor. The PDP family warned us. His deceptive claim of biological affinity with the Ngwa people, which he rode to power, has now been exposed for what it is a cynical ploy to exploit ethnic sentiment.
While Otti proudly flaunts his Arochukwu heritage, he has also been accused of meddling in its ezeship tussle for his own selfish interests. This is a man who built a grand castle in Arochukwu while neglecting the welfare of the Isiala Ngwa people, the same people he claimed kinship with during the elections.
Otti’s questionable business dealings are another cause for concern. As the former Managing Director of Diamond Bank, he was accused of stifling the bank’s growth before floating his own Signature Bank. Today, Signature Bank has expanded exponentially with 18 branches springing up in just two years, coinciding precisely with the period Otti has been governor.
Intelligence suggests that Otti’s high-handedness is driving away members of the bank’s board. This is a man who claims to be perfect and all-knowing, yet his actions betray a more sinister motive.
However, it is highly commendable that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a short video making the rounds, publicly berated and criticized Otti’s governance style, calling attention to the obscure and opaque nature of his administration. The president’s stance is a testament to his commitment to good governance and his willingness to hold public officials accountable.
The truth is, Otti who was very vociferous against the government of Okezie Ikpeazu to the extent of printing vests mocking Ikpeazu’s radio studio jokes about the Osisioma Aba bridge would have mounted a massive media campaign against any governor who chose to operate from his private residence instead of the Government House.
It is equally shocking that, with no plausible reason, Otti demolished the Abia Governor’s Lodge on TY Danjuma Street in Asokoro, Abuja, even when the state’s economy is in dire straits. The Governor’s Lodge in Aba has also become an eyesore, while the new Government House built and commissioned by the immediate past administration has been left to rot, overrun by snakes and rodents.
Governor Otti is hereby urged to heed the president’s criticism and relocate to the Government House, Umuahia, where he can conduct state affairs transparently and accountably. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust reposed in him by the people of Abia State.
The people of Abia State deserve better. They deserve a government that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to their needs. It is time for Governor Otti to rise to the challenge and deliver the kind of governance that Abians truly deserve.
It is high time all men of goodwill joined President Tinubu in prevailing on Otti to move into the Government House old or new. Otti cannot always be right while the rest of the people remain wrong in a democracy. Abians are not a conquered people, and a day of reckoning is underway.
How can Otti pocket the entire Abia State and railroad everyone into accepting his selfish decisions without proper debate, such as his unjustifiable refusal to operate from the Government House? Maybe soon, the people will storm the streets of Abia in protest to demand that their government returns to the state capital, ensuring easy accessibility to governance.
The writing is on the wall. Otti’s administration is a recipe for disaster, and it is time for the people to wake up and demand change.
Victor Oguamalam, a public affairs analyst, writes from Umuahia.
