Can We Just Allow This Governor To Breath?

Since the creation of Abia State in 1991, leadership has often been reduced to missed opportunities and broken promises. Successive administrations left behind a trail of unfulfilled hopes, broken infrastructure, and disillusioned citizens.

Former Governors left their mark, but for many, the legacy is one of disappointment. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu entered Government House with charisma and youthful drive but soon prioritized empire-building over governance. Theodore Orji came with promises of liberation but instead tightened the grip of patronage, leaving roads and institutions in disrepair. Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who succeeded him, relied heavily on rhetoric and excuses, with cosmetic projects that did little to address the real pains of the people.

These leaders, critics say, focused more on personal enrichment and loyalty networks than on governance. For decades, Abians watched as the state lagged behind while other states advanced.

Today, however, a new chapter is unfolding under Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR. Since assuming office in 2023, Governor Otti has redefined leadership in Abia. He has demonstrated a clear vision anchored on stewardship, service, and accountability.

Governor Otti’s administration has been marked by purposeful and intentional leadership. His policies and projects cut across key sectors:

• Roads that had long symbolized neglect are now being rebuilt with durable standards.
• Salaries and pensions, once a nightmare for workers, are now paid promptly.
• Education and healthcare have regained priority status.
• Transparency and accountability are becoming visible hallmarks of his administration.
• Investors, once skeptical, are beginning to reconsider Abia as a viable destination.
• The long-abandoned Abia Airport project, left untouched by past governments, has been revived under his watch.

These actions, supporters argue, represent a break from the past and a deliberate effort to restore dignity and hope to Abia.

Yet, opposition forces, many of them the architects of the state’s past woes, have intensified criticism. They accuse the Governor of various shortcomings, while some observers say their attacks are more about political survival than genuine oversight.

The call from many quarters is simple: let the Governor breathe. Political opposition is important in a democracy, but when it becomes a distraction or a tool of sabotage, it undermines progress. The immunity clause in Nigeria’s Constitution was designed to shield leaders from incessant distractions, allowing them to focus on governance.

For Governor Otti, the evidence of change is already visible. His leadership is being celebrated not just in Abia but across Nigeria and among the diaspora. Supporters argue that he deserves the space to consolidate his reforms without being derailed by the same forces that mismanaged the state for two decades.

As Abia State charts a new course, the question remains: Can we just allow this Governor to breathe?