“This is the new Abia and it is void of cosmetic politics, everybody is called to serve, and this is where the challenge and business of governance begins, no titles, no awards, no fun parties and sometimes individuals may appear forgotten for sacrifices they have committed into the struggle to wrestle the state from pigs and vultures, It is not over yet, as we count our blessings and celebrate our God’s given victory”
By Njoku SaintJerry A.
Today, the atmosphere in Abia State is different; it is welcoming and appealing to the senses.
What you see is what you get, peace and an environment undergoing rapid infrastructure overhaul. In this side of South East Nigeria, governance appears functional and so it is, connecting Abia from any entry point, you are welcomed with an ambience that defines ‘responsible governance.’
Citizens appears answerable to law and order, committed to sustaining a new order that has evoked in citizens a sense of discipline, pride and excitement at the new Abia under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti’s led Labour party government.
I have witnessed such excitement several times, riding in a public vehicle from Onitsha, from Imo, Ikot Ekpene, Port Harcourt into Abia State, the excitement appears germane and sincere. Abia and its residents have never had it this rewarding since the resumption of its democratic dispensation.
‘Vox populi, vox Dei.’ this is our reward, for taking the right decision and making a choice that matched our sincerity and earnest for a change. It is the ‘Voice of the People, the Voice of God.’ It is not a one man’s decision, neither the idea of a certain group but a collective will of the people to upturn the table and take the right seat and today, the majority of residents of ‘God’s own state’ are celebrating the 3rd anniversary of what I call ‘The victory of the people,’ A story of our journey from the old order of dirt and confusion, underdevelopment and manipulation, and satanic politicization of the polity, such that abysmally shut the door of governance against the citizenry and residents of South East Commercial hub. It was so bad that Residents and visitors naturally deserted the once thriving center of commerce. That was our story and it was such a sordid experience.
I have read individuals writing from sentiments hinged upon political oppositions, they mocked at roads that were patched, reconstructed or undergoing palliatives works, over 400 of such roads across the 17 LGAs of the state, they mocked at financial management and resources of Abia State, they mocked at virtually everything under the astute leadership of the Peoples governor H.E. Alex Otti, some, out of either envy or outright jealousy and pettiness, they claimed not to have seen tangible reasons to celebrate, or simply chose not to be in tune with reality on ground, they mocked at the idea of the New Abia, perhaps they believe they could do better.
However, as much as people are entitled to their opinion and are at liberty to dream and pursue ambitions, fact is; the journey from the old Abia of neglect, abuse of state political powers, especially those entrusted upon the individual by the people, and outright abandon of those basic amenities that defines a functioning state, to the arrival at the present environmental situation and responsible governance is a victory worth every efforts made to celebrate and count our blessings, here in Abia State.
Our blessings are numbered and well positioned so much that it will be an outright foolishness to adapt the All Peoples Congress (APC) style of counting; that’s outright deception and the people of Abia state have boldly walked away from such deceit and self induced affliction. Perhaps this is the expectation of critics of the Otti’s led Labour party government whereby they demand accountability.
I must admit as a citizen, and a stakeholder in this great government, our leader has exemplified a genuine intention to establish a different Abia disconnected from partisan politics but focused in delivering quality governance that is not only people-oriented but evoked a sense of discipline and responsibility in administrative capacity and accountability to the trust the people and residents of Abia State has bestowed on those elected into office. This is the new Abia and it is void of cosmetic politics, everybody is called to serve, and this is where the challenge and business of governance begins, no titles, no awards, no fun parties and sometimes individuals may appear forgotten for sacrifices they have committed into the struggle to wrestle the state from pigs and vultures whom nearly destroyed God’s own state and brought upon us all so much shame and regional disrepute. It is not over yet, as we count our blessings and celebrate our God’s given victory into the journey of the New Abia of hope, peace and prosperity.
Would it be wise and sublime to say; I encourage all to join hands together and work towards the sustainability of the great achievements we have recorded in the past three years under the Labour party government led by H.E. Governor Alex Otti because this is our government and for those who are versed in partisan politics, the aspirants, the candidates, and the political parties jostling to be recognised, as we prepare for another political year in the coming 2027, let’s meet at the campaign train and play politics as politics would demand and while it is governance, let’s focus on the goal of achieving the best for homeland for it is a collective responsibility that will be highly rewarding and beneficial to all concerned except the criminals among us that are struggling to run under a political umbrella to steal and destroy. The door is permanently shut against such characters in Abia
Welcome to the New Abia!
Njoku Jerry A is the Past State Publicity Secretary of Labour Party, Abia and Diaspora Leader SOAD
