Abia State is in the thick of the battle for its control, with grit and promises on display in great measure. On February 28, the successor to Governor Theodore Orji would emerge.
There are 10 candidates, all of whom are rolling out their manifestoes.
However, there appears to be two front runners, Alex Otti of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While Ikpeazu is an establishment man, Otti relies on his experience in corporate sector to breast the tape.
This much Otti disclosed at a double-edged event in Lagos, tagged, “Evening with Alex”, where he unveiled his blueprint for transforming the state if he wins the election.
The event was essentially to launch his book, Saving the Future: Agenda for Economic Development And Prosperity, and raise funds for his gubernatorial ambition.
To him, Abia is blessed enough to be a role model or compete with the best in the country, and he promised not to depend on handouts from Abuja to develop the state.
“I will not depend on federal allocation to transform the state. I know where the money is and I will go for it,” he pledged.
Agriculture, education, jobs
Otti, former Diamond Bank Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, also promised to make agriculture, education, youth empowerment through job creation, and infrastructural development the focus of his administration.
His campaign focuses on changing the old order in Abia and increasing its internally generated revenue (IGR) as well as creating an enabling environment for the private sector to create jobs and revive industry.
He lamented that the current situation in Abia is worrisome, saying the sorry pass was caused by poor management of resources.
Otti insisted that he would not follow the old order but ensure prudent management of resources.
He said his background and experience will come handy to give the state a facelift and place it on the trajectory of rapid development.
“I have the quality and the courage; if I eventually become governor, Abia State will not remain the same.
“People want development, they want people with impeccable character, they want people with skill, with vision; people who can turn service around in Abia State; and all those are some of the things we have going for us because we are widely accepted by the people,” he pitched.
Foray into politics
He disclosed that his foray into politics after several years in the corporate world is “driven by patriotic zeal and abiding desire to contribute more directly to the overall socio-economic and political transformation of Abia State.”
On whether the race would be a roller coaster for him, he said it may not be easy but there will be cause to celebrate.
“The race is not set but has started; the election is around the corner. We are surging on. It is not an easy process but we found out that we have found favour in God’s sight.”
On the high level politics laced with propaganda that seems to have become the norm as the election approaches, Otti said he would not indulge in that because he believes in himself and his vision for Abia.
“We are not going to spend time spreading propaganda because any product that is good sells itself.”
The book received praise at the launch, and millions of naira was donated to his campaign at the event which was graced by eminent personalities.
The attendees include the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, and the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe.
Both of them attested to the good character and administrative acumen of Otti, which they said reflected in his days in the banking sector where he showed that he could turn things around.
Private sector background
Otti started his banking career in 1989 with the Nigeria International Bank, a subsidiary of Citibank New York.
In 1996, he moved to the United Bank for Africa as Head of Corporate Banking Sector (South) and was promoted Assistant General Manager in 2000.
He moved to First Bank of Nigeria in 2001 as an Assistant General Manager and was appointed Executive Director, Commercial Banking in September 2005.
On March 1, 2011, Otti assumed duties as Group Managing Director/CEO of Diamond Bank, where he was until 2014 when he quit to contest the Abia governorship.
