How Otti weakens opposition in Abia

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By Steve Oko

Contrary to permutations by some political pundits, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State is systematically proving that he is not a political neophyte as many had wrongly summarised him.

He is gradually using multiple front approach to weaken and cripple the opposition in the state despite formidability claims by some key opposition figures.

Realities on ground indicate that it would be very difficult for Otti to be dislodged by any of those jostling for his seat in 2027.

In fact, he would even sweep the polls by a greater margin than he did in 2023 as many who did not believe in him then, have since been convinced that Abia can truly work with the right driver behind the wheel of governance.

Besides his incontrovertible achievements in different sectors across the state, the ex-banker is indeed, proving to the amazement of many that he is not a novice in the game of politics.

For instance, Gov. Otti who is the only Labour Party Governor in the country, has almost turned Abia into one party state using the smart card of birthday parties.

Way back on June 1st 2024 when his administration was barely one year, Gov. Otti began to organize birthday parties in honour of some distinguished Abians. Many people actually did not know where he was coming from.

First to be honoured by the Governor was the former Senate President and the Chairman Board of Trustees, BoT, of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara, during his 76th birthday.

No fewer than 10 PDP Governors were in attendance. A state banquet held in his honour at the International Conference Centre, ICC Umuahia, was unprecedented since the history of the state.

Less than a year after, it was the turn of a former Deputy Governor and the incumbent Senator representing Abia South, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, a chieftain of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA.

Gov. Otti just as he did for Senator Wabara, also gave a state banquet at the ICC in honour of Senator Abaribe.

Who is who in the APGA fold, friends and associates as well as family members of Senator Abaribe attended the event in their numbers.

The glamorous event was equally graced by Government officials, and Abians from different political backgrounds, thus providing a friendly atmosphere of brotherhood devoid of divisive political diatribes.

It also attracted the presence of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and his wife, accompanied by many other Senators from different states.

Gov. Otti also celebrated another elder statesman and former Secretary to State Government, SSG, Abia State, Dr Eme Okoro.

Shortly afterwards, it was the turn of another distinguished elder statesman, Senator Chris Adighije, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Who is who in the APC including virtually all the national Assembly members from Abia were at the event.

In each of the ceremonies, Gov. Otti did not fall to make it clear to anyone who cared to listen that the gesture had nothing to do with politics.

He explained that he chose to celebrate deserving Abians because of their outstanding contributions in moving the state forward irrespective of their political leanings.

In fact, he vowed to sustain the initiative as long as he is in power , hinting that some iconic musicians including Paulson Kalu ( Afrikhanah) a legendary highlife music artist from Akanu Ohafia; and the Umuahia- born Zigima idol, Bright Chimezie, would soon take their turns.

At each outing, Otti in his usual message, took time to evangelise the audience with his gospel of unity and love.

He profusely argued that:”We are first Abians before belonging to any political party, therefore we need to unite as one family and build Abia”.

The narrative is already resonating across the state as many stakeholders from different political parties have openly endorsed the Governor for a second term in office, declaring that they have never seen it this way.

As being espounded by the Governor, one must not pull down his own just to prove he is in the opposition. This is where politicians from other ge-opolitical zones seem to outsmart their South East counterparts who take pride in betraying their own to score a political point.

Apart from acknowledging his infrastructural revolution, regular payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, the stakeholders are also pleased with Otti’s developmental strides.

It is strange in the history of Abia State that a sitting Governor will be throwing lavish birthday bash for members of the opposition.

Although Gov. Otti has always maintained that this gesture has no political undertones, it has wittingly or unwittingly turned out to be a master strategy.

For political watchers and men with the understanding of the times, this strategy is already working wonders.

Realities on ground indicate that the root of the opposition in Abia has already been eaten up by the ‘Otti political worm‘.

Political watchers are not in doubt that the opposition camp in Abia has been so weakened and crippled by Otti’s evidential strides.

Despite the pretenses by aspirants intending to challenge Otti in 2027, some of them already know that even the people urging them to run are merely doing so because of what they (the supporters) stand to personally gain.

With Otti’s master strategy of combining good governance with a handshake across the parties, 2027 is projected to be a herculean task for his challengers.

Otti has also doubled down on building his personal political structure ahead of the polls.

The ex-banker hitherto criticized for not keeping or oiling a formidable personal political structure that would help actualise his second term project, has made serious adjustments.

His critics said it would be a costly assumption for the Governor to depend only on his achievements for a second term, but the recent inauguration of Abia Arise, a political structure of the Governor, has proved that Otti isn’t naive as some think.

The Abia Arise structure is already transforming into a very strong and formidable structure that would help deliver Otti in 2027.

Interestingly, the job of the political structure has been made easy by the achievements of the Governor as his projects dot the landscape of Abia.

In less than two years in office, there is virtually no major community/clan in Abia that has no project courtesy of Gov. Otti.

Yes, he may not be there yet, and indeed there are rooms for improvement, the undeniable fact remains that Abia before now, had never had it so good.

Even the opposition know that Otti has proved a point hitherto thought to be impossible: He has demonstrated that the system can actually work!

This is part of the reasons majority appear to be singing his praise, and there are no indications that they will not renew his mandate in 2027.

Irrespective of the speculations on purported secret meetings on possible defection to the party at the centre, Otti’s political future and second term bid do not seem to be under any threat.

Any platform with which he chooses to run, Abians including family members of his likely challengers, from every indication, may not hesitate to replicate and even triple his 2023 feat.

Some pundits believe that the Governor may not need to bother about platform or be moved by the wind of defection blowing across the country’s political landscape, as Abians as ready to renew his mandate because of his laudable achievements.

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Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.