Otti and His Critics

Jones Nnanna Ike

Governor Alex Otti’s recent appearance on Arise TV has continued to receive widespread acclaim from a broad spectrum of well-meaning Nigerians. His articulate delivery, visionary leadership, and clear policy direction during the interview won the admiration of many. However, as expected, his growing popularity has unsettled a small band of critics—largely displaced loyalists of the former PDP-led administration in Abia State. These individuals, having lost access to public resources, now occupy themselves with unrelenting and often baseless attacks against every move the Governor makes.

Leading this group is John Okiyi Kalu, who has assumed the role of chief critic and unofficial opposition spokesman. Known for his flair for propaganda, Okiyi Kalu previously served as Commissioner for Information under the unpopular administration of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. During that tenure, he was more preoccupied with media optics than real development—crafting a misleading narrative of progress while the state visibly deteriorated.

The so-called infrastructural development under that administration was, at best, cosmetic—largely limited to press releases and social media promotions. Meanwhile, pensioners suffered in neglect, civil servants were owed salaries, and essential services collapsed. Public funds were grossly mismanaged, leaving behind a trail of rot and unfulfilled promises.

Since the historic electoral shift of February 22, 2023, which decisively ended PDP’s prolonged grip on the state, the likes of John  Okiyi Kalu have struggled for relevance. Their new pastime has become relentless criticism of Governor Otti’s administration, no matter how laudable his initiatives may be. Every policy, every success story—especially those celebrated by the people—becomes an object of unwarranted attack.

This pattern was particularly evident following Governor Otti’s May 2, 2025 interview on Arise TV. In what was clearly a masterclass in leadership and governance communication, the Governor explained how his administration has significantly improved the fortunes of Abia State. He outlined how, through prudent economic management and innovation, his government has cleared billions in inherited debt and improved performance across key sectors such as salary payments, infrastructure, healthcare, education, sanitation, security, investment inflows, and job creation.

Perhaps most impressively, these gains have been achieved without the burden of borrowing—unlike the previous government’s heavy reliance on loans. Governor Otti’s approach reflects a sophisticated grasp of practical economics, and the results are evident: Abia has moved from the rear of development indices to become one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing states.

Unsurprisingly, this success has provoked a coordinated smear campaign by Okiyi Kalu and his cohorts. Despite their poor track record, they have taken to social media and even secured airtime on Arise TV’s “Right of Reply” segment to peddle half-truths and distortions.

Their criticisms, though weak and unconvincing, appear to revolve around three main talking points—one of which concerns the New Government House. They argue that Governor Otti should have immediately moved into the building, which was hurriedly refurbished and commissioned just before they left office.

To understand this issue, a brief background is necessary. The project was initiated by former Governor T.A. Orji, modeled in the style of a 17th-century European palace. Despite the grandeur, the structure was built at a time when Abia State suffered acute infrastructural deficits. Many citizens questioned the wisdom of committing billions of naira to a single edifice while roads, schools, hospitals, and basic amenities across the state were in shambles.

When Governor Ikpeazu assumed office in 2015, he neither completed the Government House nor invested in the surrounding area—known as the New Government Station Layout. This neighborhood lacked access roads, drainage, electricity, and water. The situation was so dire that government offices, including the State Secretariat and Commissioners’ quarters, operated without basic infrastructure and were often engulfed in darkness.

Okiyi Kalu and many of his fellow critics lived and worked in this environment, doing nothing to improve it during their eight-year tenure. The decay was comprehensive—schools, roads, hospitals, and other public assets all fell into disrepair. The old State Secretariat was eventually abandoned, becoming a dumping ground for refuse and even human waste.

Then, in a last-minute move that many perceived as cynical, the outgoing administration gave the uncompleted Government House a cosmetic facelift and hastily commissioned it just days before handing over to Governor Otti—apparently hoping to pressure him into occupying it. But Governor Otti, refusing to accept this “Greek gift,” a decision many Abians considered a more strategic one.

Instead of pouring additional funds into an impractical structure, his administration redirected part of the ₦800 million demanded by the contractor to develop critical infrastructure in the surrounding area. This has transformed the once-forgotten Government Station Layout into a livable and functioning part of the capital.

In contrast to the failures of the past, Governor Otti’s government is marked by foresight, accountability, and people-focused development. The noisy distractions from discredited former officials cannot mask the visible progress being made across Abia State.

The facts are clear. The people are watching. And no amount of political bitterness can reverse the wheel of progress already set in motion.

In less than two years, Governor Alex Otti has made transformative strides in Abia State. He has rehabilitated the Commissioner’s Quarters, reconstructed the long-abandoned Old Secretariat, and energized both secretariats. Access roads have been built throughout the area, internet infrastructure now serves public sector buildings, and numerous public structures have been rehabilitated and modernized. These achievements reflect the expectations of Abians — results, not rhetoric.

It would have been inappropriate for Governor Otti to reside in the so-called New Government House, a relic of a feudal mindset. That structure contradicts the republican spirit and values of the Abia people, who are deeply rooted in Igbo identity. More troubling is the apparent desperation of some individuals insisting that the governor take up residence in a building widely acknowledged to be structurally flawed — one they themselves avoided. The motives behind this push raise serious concerns, especially when viewed in the context of the attempted assassination of Dr. Otti in Abuja in 2015.

A particularly dishonest claim was made during a recent Arise TV interview, where John Okiyi Kalu (JOK) asserted that former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu owed only parastatal workers and not ministerial staff. This is demonstrably false. Toward the end of the previous administration, all categories of workers, including ministerial staff, embarked on an indefinite strike over unpaid salary. When Governor Otti assumed office on May 29, 2023, many government offices were under lock and key. Organized labor had effectively shut down state operations, preventing a proper handover.

In contrast, Governor Otti has made timely salary payments a non-negotiable priority, ensuring workers are paid on or before the 28th of each month — pensioners included. His administration has also cleared the massive salary arrears inherited from past regimes, affirming his commitment to the principle that every worker deserves their wage.

JOK and his allies would have been wise to avoid the subject of Port Harcourt Road, a symbol of failed promises under the Ikpeazu administration. Once a critical and strategic route in Aba, it was left to deteriorate. Properties — including multi-storey buildings — were demolished under the pretense of expanding the road, only for the project to be abandoned without explanation or progress. Not a single meter of the road was rehabilitated during JOK’s tenure as commissioner.

Today, under Governor Otti, Port Harcourt Road is a dual carriage highway constructed by Julius Berger — a first in the history of Abia State. Delivered with strict adherence to timelines and specifications, the road now stands as one of the most impressive in Nigeria and a source of pride for Abians. Yet critics remain fixated on the cost, ignoring the road’s scale, the engineering complexities, and its flood-prone nature.

Public response has made it clear that JOK’s attempts at revisionist propaganda are falling flat. A glance at his Facebook page reveals overwhelming public condemnation, with over 90% of commenters using strong language to reject his narratives. One comment aptly summarized the mood:

“John is trying to convince Abians that the well-documented monumental failures of Ikpeazu were an illusion. That their awful experience of eight years of misgovernance did not happen. The audacious propaganda is dead on arrival.”

For those seeking a dose of humor, JOK’s Facebook comment section offers an unintended comic relief — a testament to how out of touch his messaging has become.

Ultimately, Dr. Alex Otti and his administration remain focused on building a new Abia. The state is moving forward, and the distractions and propaganda from the past will find no traction in this new era.

Ike, General Manager/Editor-In-Chief,  Abia Newspaper and Publishing Corporation, wrote in via E-mail: jonesike556@gmail.com