By: Anokwuru, C. U
Dr. Alex Otti has come to be known for being upfront and honest about government money matters — a rare trait in Nigerian politics where leaders often keep people in the dark. Since he became the Governor of Abia State, Otti has always been straightforward and open, making it easy for the public to access and assess his administration, unlike previous governments in the state.
One thing anyone would easily pick from Otti’s leadership style is that he does not hide anything, no matter how big the numbers are. He makes sure that everyone can see where the money goes by making real things happen with it. Dr. Otti ensures that his commissioners and agency heads spend money on things everyone can see, and they know they have to explain what they did with public funds. This is in line with his conviction that a leader does not bake bread but does the real political deeds which are evident in quality leadership delivery such as serving justice in the provision of basic social amenities for the welfare of all.
By setting up a judicial panel of inquiry and conducting a forensic audit of his predecessor, Dr. Alex Otti has done what is rare and unpopular in Nigerian politics. He is setting up a political record that would serve as a precedent in the governance of Abia State – one that will redefine politics in the state and salvage her from the grip of political wolves and buccaneers who had held the state hostage over the years.
The Governor’s consistency in publishing the state’s income and expenditure since his emergence as the new sheriff in town is a uncommon display of political goodwill which is worth commendation from everyone else except for political ‘lootocrats.’ Of course, who does that with such clarity and sincerity in this Nigerian political scene filled with political carnivores looking for who to devour economically, socio-politically and otherwise?
By reviewing the activities of his predecessor, Alex is suggesting that Ikpeazu should have called his predecessors to question too. To have chosen to overlook the past was Ikpeazu’s business; probably, to him, the past was clean enough. Fortunately and unfortunately, Otti is not comfortable with his, hence the probes.
By setting a credible legacy for his successors to follow in the future governance of Abia State, should Alex Otti be applauded or bullied? There are two possible answers to this question. While servant leaders will applaud Governor Alex Otti, ‘lootocrats’ seeking to perpetuate a chain of evil and the organogram of wickedness in the political leadership of the state will rather choose to bully him. Whichever way, the fact still remains that evil is evil even when everybody is for it, and good is good even when everybody is against it.
Governor Alex Otti, in my objective judgment, rather than being bullied should be applauded for being so audacious in setting a precedent upon which he could be crucified if he errs. As Anthony Robbins would have it, “The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.” The Governor clearly knows that, he is by his actions, setting a standard for himself and his team.
The openness of Dr. Alex Otti’s administration has made it possible for the opposition in the state to ask some tough questions about how the government spends money today. As a renowned democrat and a leader who is fully prepared to lead his people justly in their journey to ‘A New Abia’, the Governor is very intentional about this because it helps to keep the government in check and to spend wisely. Otti isn’t scared of this — he’s always honest about where the public money goes. It is only left for the opposition to verify by thoroughly investigating the projects rather than shouting wolf where there is none.
Like the past administration, the government of Dr. Alex Otti gets a lot of money from different sources, like taxes, federal allocations, etc. However, unlike past administrations in the state with no known ideology for the socio-economic prosperity for the state, Otti has done well in utilising public funds for the prosperity and progress of the state in visible infrastructural development; accurate and timely payment of salaries, pensions, and other emoluments; defraying of salary and pension arrears; investment in critical sectors of the economy like health, education, power, security, sanitation; to mention just a few. Little wonder he is being celebrated in the public domain every now and then.
No doubt, when one looks at the state today as compared to what obtained in the past, one can see enormous improvements in road construction; retrofitting/construction of hospitals, schools, office complexes and other public buildings; proper and responsible administration of the local government system; grassroot development projects across the 17 LGAs; efficient and people oriented policies and programmes; etc.
Today, Dr. Otti expresses boldness in confronting the past administration’s income and unwise, unaccounted-for expenditures which is a clear pointer that he is not afraid of being looked at closely by the public/private, past and present, or even future leaders when he is done with his tenure as Governor of Abia State. His fearlessness in calling out the misappropriation of public funds in the previous administration is a glaring declaration that his administration is open to be judged by the same standards he is meting out against the people of the past.
Governor Alex Otti deserves some credit for making government open, responsive, and accessible in Abia State. By being honest, transparent, and accountable in his leadership, Otti is setting a crystal example for future leaders to ensure they are honest too. He is redefining governance and living out the true tenets of democracy. By opening up the books for everyone to see and refusing to muddle up things in the dark as was the common practice in the state, the Governor deserves every of his flowers.
Instead of defending corrupt past leaders, critics should rather applaud Otti for questioning the past and exposing his books for proper and objective scrutiny. The real question is: how many leaders can take such bold steps in Nigeria today? How many Governors can boldly declare their earnings and spendings like Otti has done without fear of contradiction or criticism?
My point, therefore, is that Dr. Alex Otti has set a new record of openness and accountability in governance thereby challenging the age old narrative that those who live in glass houses do not throw stones. Today, he has made himself vulnerable to the public and gladly welcomes the stones in all moral rectitude and sanctity. In the traditional Igbo parlance, O taala ukwa, jaara oha eze.
Congratulations His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, ‘Chioma Ndi Abia’ for going the extra mile in raising the bar of governance and public administration like no one else has done in Abia. Posterity will live to remember your giant footprints in the sands of time.
Anokwuru, C. U., PhD is a political analyst and social commentator.
