By Foster Obi
Achievers can almost literally taste success because they imagine their goals in such vivid details. Setbacks only seem to add spice and flavour to the final taste of victory -Denis Waitley
Among all the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants for Abia State, none has such an intimidating profile like Dr Alex Otti.
Yet he has attempted to become Abia governor twice but was robbed of victory despite budding vision that would have made Abia a state to envy by now.
Abians by hook or crook settled for misery and pain for another eight years. But again the moment of decision is here.
When you encounter Otti, it reminds you of the likes of Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the newly elected Anambra State governor who combines brillance with performance.
Perhaps this informed the recent comments on social media platforms that APC will likely lose Abia state if they don’t choose Otti to represent them.
Most Abia youths are already adopting the slogan, “APC give us Otti or forget Abia.”
Analysts believe it is not just about Otti’s profile as a reputed Economist or the fact that he was trained in Harvard but because of what he represents.
Yet this does not mean there are no supposed achievers among those vying for the gubernatorial seat under APC.
From media analysis, APC has quality people that wants to replace Dr Okezie Ikpeazu as Abia governor.
But reports suggests that some of them may just be paper tigers interested in answering a governor with no clear cut agenda. The thinking is also debatable.
However, looking at the kind of governors Abia state has produced in the past, this reasoning resonates quickly.
Its easy to separate Dr Otti from the pack which is why everyone seem to be talking about him.
This has also created some kind of media frenzy that made people, utter, “ Who is afraid of Dr Alex Otti.”
While others were having fun in their cozy homes waiting for the next elective season, Otti has consistently put the present PDP government in the state on trial, reminding them of the sorry mess the state has slid into under their watch. He has done this regularly even at the risk of his safety.
Otti, severally urged Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to take immediate steps to halt the collapse of the state’s key institutions.
He told the governor that he was compelled again to passionately appeal to him because, despite the frightening dimension at which key Abia government institutions are getting grounded, Ikpeazu had failed to show concern and willingness to take decisive measures to tackle the situation.
He said he was also deeply worried about the reported salary and pension owed Abia workers.
He vowed not to be deterred by attacks and insults from Abia government officials whenever he offered advice or expressed opinion on matters that affect the state.
His words: “Almost all the state’s critical institutions like Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, Abia State Polytechnic, School of Health Technology, Abia State College of Education Technical, Arochukwu (ASCETA), and others are being owed several months of salaries.”
Noting that Abia receives several billions of naira in monthly allocations from the Federal Government for the state and local governments, and generates internal revenue, just like other states, Otti maintained that any sane mind would worry why the Ikpeazu government could not pay salaries and pensions, not to talk of carrying out serious developmental projects.
He highlighted other areas .
The fear of Alex Otti like they say is the beginning of wisdom for the Ikpeazu led government.
Otti’s date with history has obviously come. The APC does not need a diviner to tell them that this is the man that will win the election for them with landslide.
Any other road they decide to follow, may lead to nowhere.
Foster Obi is Editor, DFC ewsng.com
Picture: Dr Alex Otti
