(Opinion) Ottimystic Mayoral Apostles And Disciples: Kaleidoscopic Perspectives

By By ShaFT@Polemics.

Today, is significant in the annals of the political choreography of Abia State. As we mark the one year anniversary in office of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, we extend hearty congratulations to the Governor, and the entire members of his cabinet team, and the government of Abia State; and especially, NdiAbia, at home, and in diaspora. The great symbolism and significance of today, must not bypass or elude us. The relevance of the Milestone, affords us collectively, the opportunity to review retrospectively; and to preview with expectancy, some critical or unique political developments, specifically in the strategic subsystems of LGAs in Abia State.

His Excellency, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, of Abia State, cruised to electoral victory in the 2023 governorship polls, essentially on the crest of populist campaigns agenda and promises, on the platform of Labour Party.

Additionally, Peter Obi phenomenon, as the national icon and image of the Labour Party cum the hypotonic appeals of the waves of political tsunamis unleashed under the aegis of Obidient Movement, combined effectively to guarantee Otti's ultimate emergence, as the preferred candidate of choice among Abia electorate, for the highly esteemed governorship office.

Aggregation of Governor Otti's campaigns agenda and package, in the context of what he considered transformative, responsible government, encapsulated varieties of strategic programs, designed on the altar of Reformist mission and zeal, spread across the entire spectrum of socioeconomic, political fabrics, structures and superstructures; across multiple ancillary frameworks and public institutions, to represent collectively that seamless organic entity and structure known as transformational government and system of governance.

https://youtu.be/jg6eocjVKLQ?si=TrHfVWCd36n6cugr

For Alex Otti, as a Technocrat, government and art of governance, is underscored by radical reforms, designed to make government holistically a working, result oriented and highly productive organic structure or system. This mindset and philosophy has shaped the directions and structures of Alex Otti's leadership and administration. Invariably, Alex Otti, thought of his role in politics as a Reformist statesman, essentially.

The Reformist mantra, credo, and agenda of Alex Otti, in the campaigns was not only Structurally defined, conceptualized and contextualized. Significantly, the Reformist agenda incorporated physic reorientation of the perceptive mindset of the role of government and governance as a strategic public agency instituted and saddled with the enormous responsibility to champion and oversee the promotion of the wellbeing of the citizenry.

In simple terms, the raison d' etre of government is to work for the welfare and wellbeing of the peoples, deploying effectively and efficiently public funds and other critical resources placed at the disposal of government and government officials, in all ramifications. Otti, by means of sustained advocacy and practical actions, has made this abundantly clear. Otti's widely circulated pre-election media column, titled "Thinking Outside the Box", preached this singular message, in a variety of tones.

Specifically, Ottimystic (special term coined to describe) Otti's Reformist agenda, aimed as a target, holistic, comprehensive, Structural and Psycho-mental dismantling and overhauling of the 24 years old PDP styled systems of leadership, management, administration, and governance, in Abia State. Defective Style and systems, which characteristically, have been portrayed by some political analysts and commentators as exploitative, plunderous, unproductive, wasteful, and notorious for institutionalizing and nationalizing fiscal indiscipline and mismanagement; responsible for leaving Abia State backwards and behind in consideration of virtual absence of significant developmental indices.

https://youtu.be/jg6eocjVKLQ?si=TrHfVWCd36n6cugr

Notable and critical Stakeholders, drawn from the political elite class, public affairs analysts and commentators, civil society activists, academics and scholars, argue that for unbroken 24 years, PDP (mis)governed Abia State, rapaciously, perhaps with the singular political agenda driven by unmitigated and remorseless sense of exploitations and despoliation, chiefly for the sadistic satisfaction of private or organized group interests and aggrandizements. PDP overlords, may deny or refute this stigma and characterization.

On May, 29, 2023, PDP's stranglehold on Abia State, was broken and came to end, by means of transition of power to Labour Party, as the new Party in charge of affairs, particularly at the Executive Branch. Previously, the office changed hands from one PDP governor to another, except the brief interlude of the political drama and saga, when TA Orji was, declared governor on a different platform, while in detention or imprisoned. But on the dictates of political expediency, TA Orji, end up as PDP governor.

On May 29, 2023, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, was sworn in, in office, as the Governor of Abia State. Labour Party, took over the reins and mantle of political power in the Executive Branch and Chambers, in Government House Umuahia.The historic event, marked the second time PDP was defeated in guber polls and conceded power officially, in line with constitutional provision.

Otti, left no one in any serious doubts of the extent of the Reformist agenda and templates, when in paragraph 16 of his maiden speech as Governor, he declared thus: "We must therefore get ready to have a clean break from our past. For all citizens and residents of God's Own State, this a time to rebuild".

Later, continuing in paragraph 44, of the inaugural speech, Otti, revealed and posited, "Transparency, accountability, and public trust shall be at the centre of everything we do. We will run a responsible and honest government and lead by example. We will not tolerate any form of corruption or stealing of public property. Gratification and kickbacks are totally forbidden in this government".

These audacious declaratory intents and proclamations, it is, safe and reasonable to argue, were framed to cover every aspect of government business, including the strategic templates for the revitalization of effective and efficient systems of administration and governance of the Local Government systems, the third tier of the tripodal systems of governance, as provided in the constitution.

On Thursday, November 30, 2023, 17 Ottimystic Apostles and Disciples, were sworn in, for the first time, in Abia State, in the dual capacity of Transition Chairmen cum Mayors and Deputies. The mandates: to oversee the affairs of government and governance at the strategic local government level (the third tier of the politico-administrative Structure, designed to step down benefits or dividends of democratic system of governance to the grassroots populace in the urban, semi-urban, or rural communities. Thus, kicked off, Ottimystic version of local government administration and governance, anchored on the banners of the Rebuild agenda, mantra, and templates.

Paragraph 6 of the Governor's speech at the swearing in ceremony, to mark the official initiation of the 17 Mayoral appointees and Deputies, proclaimed, "We may not have made the most perfect of choices but if the feedback we have gotten since the names of the would-be mayors were announced are anything to go by, there is no doubt that we have made quality judgement in the choices of the individuals selected. It is my hope that the optimism that attended the announcement would be matched by the quality of your performance and dedication".

The critical matter that continued to generate much interests and excitements amongst different spectrum of partisan and nonpartisan political stakeholders, analysts and commentators, is the crucial issue and question: how well have the Mayors and Deputies, understood the charge, duty, and responsibility assigned to them, by the Governor, in his speech and proclamation? Another critical question, that continued to bug the minds of some segments of the Abia polity, some months into the advent of the Mayoral styled system, remains, how well have the Mayoral appointees, performed the responsibility in the separate or respective jurisdictions of the 17 LGAs?

Obviously, the answers and opinions, are divided and conflictual, as expected, on any hotly debated political issues. The Governor, predictably, with the benefit of foresight and hindsight, acknowledged in advance the divergence of public opinion that would trail the Mayoral appointments, and more importantly, the performance indices or indicators of the Mayors and Deputies of the enormous responsibility, by virtue of the following declaration and pronouncement, "We are also not oblivious of the fact that there are a few leaders, who may have some misgivings about the people that have been selected". No doubt, the pre-selection and post-selection process, exchanges, trade offs, and the reservations harboured on the parts of some stakeholders and leaders, have not expired or extinguished. But hangs precariously as the Sword of Damocles, in the context of jostling or tussling for power, in the 17 LGAs, internally or externally analyzed and contextualized, with the attendant implications, in the short term or long terms. PDP, the Party that once appeared formidable and invincible, before the current spate of disintegration and exodus, committed similar suicidal mistakes. We believe, the current Labour Party administration, can gain useful lessons from the PDP experience and put her house in good order, speedily.

Challenging but equally encouraging the Mayors and Deputies, the Governor, decreed, "To the new mayors and deputies, may I remind you that this is a call to serve and not to be served. We do not expect you to get everything right on the first day but you must be willing to learn, keeping your mind open to new ideas and possibilities".

The eager question that has pricked the minds and hearts of Abia populace, is: how well have the Mayors and Deputies, learned, embraced, and internalised wholesomely the core ideology, principles, and philosophy driving Ottimystic administration; and particularly, the mystique surrounding the Alex Otti persona?

Predictably, the 17 Mayors and 17 Deputies, as individuals nurtured under different backgrounds and orientations, definitely may have come to some common understanding of what Ottimystic brand of leadership and administration represents. This assumption, is plausible and logically correct. But, from another angle or perspective, as individuals, based on experiential differentials and reference points, invariably the Mayors and Deputies, equally must be having or holding different shades of opinions, perceptions, understanding, on what it means to keep the door of "your mind open to new ideas and possibilities". The simplicity and the complexity of this enigma, constitute the puzzle of Ottimystic styled leadership education, apprenticeship, mentorship and training.

With great ambivalence, admiration and expression of reassurance of guaranteed freedom, liberty, and appreciation of personal initiatives, but under the radar of the close monitoring, watchful eyes of the Governor, Otti, issued the following command, "While the State would give each of you the freehand to manage the affairs of the council responsibly, it is very important to design your programmes in ways that align with the general development philosophy of the present Labour Party Administration in the State".

Some strands of stakeholders and keen observers of the affairs in different LGAs, have pondered and wondered on how well fitted, (re) configured, (re) packaged, (de/re) constructed, or in alignment, are the political or managerial credentials and pedigrees of the Mayoral appointees, in the context of Ottimystic political curriculum and schematic blueprints?

https://youtu.be/jg6eocjVKLQ?si=TrHfVWCd36n6cugr

The relevance of this question or the reservations expressed by some stakeholders, hinges squarely on the perceived or real "misgivings about the people that have been selected", acknowledged and pinpointed, in the Governor's speech. The remarks was correct, essentially, bearing in mind some stakeholders, rightly or wrongly, believed they played critical key roles in the electoral victory of Alex Otti, were embittered, dejected, demotivated, uncomfortable, unhappy, with the surprising turn of events, in the post-election policy and decisions, in terms of securing or denied political appointments, as compensations or rewards for the roles played. Some stakeholders have continued to feel short-changed, used and dumped obliviously, in spite of the immense support or contributions rendered, that galvanized and propelled the forces which culminated ultimately in the electoral victory of the incumbent Governor, in the 2023 guber polls. It is equally necessary to point out, we believe, such claims need to be balanced against the other sides of the story, taking into consideration certain variables, and circumstances that drive political environments and political developments, dynamically.

Kudos, to the Governor, who without pretences, or denials, with honour, acknowledged the tides and waves of resentments that swept across the spectrum of Labour Party stakeholders, but calmed the frayed nerves by means of astute display of art of statecraftmanship. The soothing assurances and promises of the Governor, did the magic, by proclaiming, "The beauty of democracy is that in the long run, opportunities and platforms for service present themselves to everyone in diverse capacities".

Evidently, the political appointments that have taken place in recent times, corroborate and validate the Governor's promise and reassurance, in his speech.

What would the scorecards of the Mayors and Deputies, look like, ultimately, at the end of the term/tenure of stewardship?

I dare say, this is hardwired question.

Only time, can shed lights, and provide the right answer.

Meanwhile, Abians, let us have high hopes, and great faith, in God, the God of God's Own State, that ultimately, in the best interests of Abia State, Ottimystic experimentations, on going, in the 17 LGAs, end in OttiOptimism refrains, and chorus; never in Ottipessimism chants or regrets.

Amen!

ShaFT@Polemics.