OPINION: HOW ALEX OTTI CHANGED ABIA POLITICS FOR GOOD - BY FERDINAND EKEOMA

For 16 straight years, the Abia state political cabal ran unchallenged. From 1998 through 2014, revisionists and retrogressive elements held Abia state hostage. Abia state was in a state of virtual collapse- from education to health, there was no functional sector in the state.

Through this 16 years, Abia state's only functional industry was political sycophancy. To succeed in business around Aba state, get promoted in the civil service, get contracts from the government and her agencies, get appointed into the state executive council or achieve anything worthwhile, all you need is to be a sycophant- sing the praises of whoever is the governor and your way will be smooth.

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Abia has become such a big ridicule that a guest invited to a function hosted by the state government frontally told the governor and other guests that the state "stinks.ÔÇØ It was a bold truth said straight to the face of head of Abia's political cabal.

Abia state by 2011 was already playing second fiddle to states like Anambra and Enugu in terms of real developmental index. Abia's infrastructure continued to experience collapse and decay.

Poverty was becoming pervasive and finding jobs for anyone was almost impossible except of course- the job of praise singing for any and every official of government. Our youths were steadily wasting while the political elites saw no need to provide political direction to the leaders of tomorrow.

It was a taboo at the time to be in opposition to the government. Yes, politicians did run for elective positions on the platforms of different parties but would quickly return to the ruling party as soon as the elections were concluded- win or lose.

Not one single politician could mount a sustained opposition against the reign of impunity going on in the state. Nobody could speak out against the massive decay of public infrastructure, the foul air that stalks you each time you come into Abia state or saw anything wrong in public schools not having teachers in basic subjects.

Alex Otti's decision to resign from his enviable position as the GMD/CEO of one of the nation's leading financial institutions and contest the governorship position in 2015 changed Abia's political narrative for good.

Today many young men are beginning to speak out against the rot going on in the state, many progressives have now found a leader to rally around.

Otti's sincerity, discipline and firm commitment to creating a new order in Abia is drawing thousands and thousands of followers to his campaign. Dr Otti through his sustained opposition to the state's rogue administration has made himself the best friend of Abia's civil servants, pensioners, youths and millions of unemployed persons.

The APGA governorship candidate is drawing followership from a broad spectrum of Abians at home and in diaspora because they find in him- a sincere leader, a man who would rather die than go back to his vomit, a leader who has the will and discipline to return Abia to the path of development.

Dr Alex Otti today invites you to join him in the campaign to save Abia. He does not oppose the "blood tonic cabalÔÇØ just for the sake of it. He believes that Abia deserves honest and quality leadership where the welfare of the masses is considered a priority. He is not in opposition by the day and a member of the cabal by night, he is a leader you can trust.

Learn more about Alex Otti, his program for Abia state and how you can be a part of it by visiting www.alexotti.com. Let's do it together.