PDP’S SINS AND OTTI’S SOLUTION: WHY ABIANS BACK THE GOVERNOR’S TRANSFORMATION AGENDA
Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D.
For nearly two and a half decades, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held sway in Abia State, leaving a trail of destruction, poverty, and despair. The party’s misrule was characterized by gross mismanagement, corruption, and disregard for Abians’ welfare. However, with Governor Alex Otti’s administration, Abia is witnessing a new dawn of transformation, and the people are overwhelmingly supportive of his agenda.
Major and Unpardonable Sins of Abia PDP:
1. Economic Mismanagement: Abia PDP’s economic policies led to a comatose economy, staggering debt, and widespread poverty, anchored on mediocrity and selfishness.
2. Infrastructure Neglect: Abia PDP’s neglect of critical infrastructure made Abia a laughingstock, particularly in Aba, reducing it to a ghost town with impassable roads, dilapidated infrastructure, and erratic electricity supply.
3. Corruption and Looting: Abia PDP’s corruption is legendary, with billions of naira embezzled, leaving Abians to suffer, and recent findings via audit report have further exposed the party’s massive looting and diversion of public funds through unexecuted contracts and other forms of corrupt practices.
4. Disregard for Human Life: Abia PDP’s disdain for human life is appalling, ignoring Abians’ plight and leaving them in poverty and despair. The inhuman treatment the party subjected Abia workers and pensioners before Governor Otti came to their rescue can’t be forgotten in a hurry.
In contrast, some of Governor Otti’s immediate and strategic solutions as he transforms Abia include but not limited to the followings:
1. Transparency and Accountability: Governor Otti has introduced transparency and accountability, restoring trust in government as Abia in all ramifications and presently ranks amongst the best-governed states in the country.
2. Infrastructure Development: Governor Otti is tackling Abia’s infrastructure challenges, constructing roads and vital infrastructure, and commissioning projects in Aba, Umuahia, and other parts of the state.
3. Economic Revival: Governor Otti’s economic initiatives are reviving Abia’s economy, creating jobs and opportunities, and empowering struggling businesses to create prosperity for the people.
4. Human Capital Development: Governor Otti is investing in education and healthcare, retrofitting and equipping public health institutions and schools across the state, reviving other critical sectors neglected by the Abia PDP.
Why Abians Back Governor Otti’s Transformation Agenda:
1. Hope for a Better Future: Abians see Governor Otti’s agenda as a beacon of hope. The administration of Governor is not only futuristic but intentional and obviously hope reassuring.
2. Trust in Leadership: Governor Otti’s transparency and accountability have restored trust. That is why Abians believe strongly in the Governor despite smear campaigns and falsehood sponsored and peddled against him and his administration by the Abia PDP.
3. Tangible Results: Abians are witnessing tangible results as the Governor has for the past one year and two months sustained massive, quality and economic important road construction and rehabilitation; reconstruction of public healthcare institutions and schools as well as other critical infrastructure in the State.
4. Inclusive Governance: Governor Otti’s inclusive leadership style has endeared him to Abians. It is on record that Governor Otti abhors incompetence, mediocrity, clannishness and failure. He has always insisted on delivery the best for the people.
Conclusion:
The PDP’s unpardonable sins have no doubt created a sense of urgency among Abians, who are now embracing Governor Otti’s transformation agenda. His commitment to transparency, infrastructure development, economic revival, and human capital development has resonated with the people. As Governor Otti continues to implement his initiatives, Abians will remain steadfast in their support, knowing their state is on the path to greatness.
Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa is the SSA (Public Affairs) to the Governor of Abia State.