BY ERIC UGBOR
It appears that Governor Alex Chioma Otti has propounded new theories in Governance. These are evident in the avalanche of projects from the various sectors of Abia state economy.
Christened Ottimatics theory, it cuts across all the genders of public affairs management to- wit-,
THEORY ONE,
This first theory states that, Where there are campaign promises, the post election victory must address those promises. Under this theory, OTTIMATICS portends that politicians who make promises to the electorates during campaigns must fulfil those promises to secure the confidence of the electorates who voted them into office. It further views that failure to fulfil those campaign promises will not only jeopardise the promisor but becomes one of the leading factors for election rigging, violence and other forms of electoral malpractices arguing that because the promisor has lost the confidence of the electorates, he would naturally device a means of a do – or – die affair to stage a comeback.
THEORY TWO,
This second theory, states that public fund must be judiciously proportionate to it’s expenditure. Under this theory, Governor Alex Otti avers that the only way to engender even development of a state is to match aggressive revenue generation with judicious and effective fiscal responsibility. That is to say that there must be effective management of public funds for any given society to grow its economy and impact positively on the welfare of the people.
THEORY 3;
In this theory, Governor Otti believes that the welfare of one common man on the street is more important than that of ten political big heads. This theory aligns itself on the philosophy of democracy, although the theory employs synedoche such that “one common man” on the street pictures the suffering of the masses in the true sense of it. It practically emphacizes that those who are on the street are larger in number than the elites in mythe society. OTTIMATICS, therefore believes that the primary role of government is to channel it’s resources and consign itself with the welfare of the people who are primarily the owners of government according to democratic principles. It further argues that public funds must be for the public and not for the few, therefore, Government must embark on those projects that will have positive impact on the people.
THEORY FOUR;
This fourth theory states that too many voices of praise must match the inner mind. Under this, OTTIMATICS portends that politicians must ensure that while they nod their heads and dance to the tune of praise singers, they must ensure that their achievements qualify for such praises or else such may be misleading. It argues that while it is acceptable for a leader who holds political trust to be praised for his achievements, it is also destructive and misleading to raise tunes of praises above the ladder of such a leader to avoid loss of direction or to rest on his oars.
A critical view or analysis of the OTTIMATICS theory suggests that those were the fundamental tenets upon which Governor Alex Otti has performed the magic of aggressive development of Abia state within a short period of time. From road infrastructure, to healthcare delivery, educational revolution, Cleanliness and Environmental rebirth. Further to the earlier, to effective Civil Service, massive industrial revolution, Security Of lives and Properties and overall general good governance in all sectors of Abia, Governor Alex Otti has proved that OTTIMATICS Theory is adoptable in Public Governance.
It is trite to say that only those born between 2023 till date would not appreciate the aggressive turnaround of the Abia ugly story. A state created in 1991with promising future has been dwindling and crawling, moving slowly like a wounded camelon for over 30 years.
Its throat was dry crying for water even those from the gutters but instead of receiving a good water, the state was served with soured wine like Our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. And it crawled slowly on a weird long journey to attain development. It sought for food as hunger ravaged it’s entire body and there was none. When it beckoned on her neighbours to bring food , the neighbours stated ” We have plenty of food but no assess road to come in and give it to you. At night, the state would not continue it’s journey for darkness covered the entire surface.
But was Abia alone on that slowly Journey?, No, It had workers who were helping her to clear the grasses on the bushy tracks, remove stones and other stumbling blocks but while the state failed to provide bread and water for her workers, they could no longer help in clearing the tracks and in one season of the rain, the whole state was overgrown with grasses such that those who were passing by the wayside into other cities could not find the location of Abia and they asked in total worries, ” Where is the Abia Tower and the Michael Okpara Square”
But the people Of Abia state did not lose hope . They believed that there must be a day of celebration for the living. And that hope manifested with the entrance of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti as the Governor of Abia State in 2023. A man who you may not see as physically tall but he is a mental giant in governance.
Dr. Alex Chioma Otti on assumption of Office in 2023 removed the wounded camelon and deployed the Antelope thereby increasing the speed covering over 5000 kilometres in the development of Abia state. It is not for the sake of literature but as the maxim opines, “RES IPSA LOQUITOR”. Majority of Abia people today irrespective of political affiliations from all corners of the state have affirmed that the facts speak for themselves. The joy of the people are overwhelming and few pockets of critics are just scratching to seek for relevance. OTTIMATICS is working and Abians are happy and solidly behind the only Governor who has made them proud of their origin as God’s own state.
Our neighbours can now come in and out of our state through good and motorable roads and transact their businesses bringing in goods and taking ours. Transporters can now enter in and out of any part of our state even in the night as the whole cities have been lightened and night life fully restored. Workers can now be sure of their wages by the end of every month with developmental infrastructure ongoing in all parts of the state. Truly, under Governor Alex Otti, Abia’s lost glory has been restored and by the time Dr. Alex Chioma Otti spends 8yrs in office, the state would have become an Eldorado.
