Gov Alex Chioma Otti: And 29th May Came to Pass by Mazi Dr Agodi KANU
It was as if the day, the D-day was far and slow. The tension built days before the D-day as a Federal High Court in Kano was in near misfire just as the early readers misinterpreted the judgement to suit their whims and caprice.
Rumours in the camp of the distractors was rife that it will not happen. Their only hope to smell power through the purported LGA election was dashed when the hatchet man announced difficulties in conducting the election due to court order and the then strike action by civil servants largely as a result of unpaid salaries. Alas, the election didn’t hold and that sealed the faith of that family.
Monday Sit At Home Order.
Some Governor Alex Otti’s enemies projected that the swearing in will not hold because it was Monday and sit at home order by fake IPOB. Fake because original IPOB cancelled the obnoxious order long ago while the fake insisted on upholding it. However, MONDAY, 29th MAY, 2023 came and went without any incident. The masses forgot it was Monday and thronged to the Umuahia Township Stadium from the 17 LGAs and beyond. No single incident was reported. The people braced to odds to come and see their brand new Governor amid singing, chanting, dancing and unprecedented euphoria. That day, the unknown gunmen went to sleep. That day am sure most of them joined to usher in the Apostle of Weep No More for Help is Here. It simply showed that hope of good governance can alter hopeless variables. And the people rejoiced with Governor Alex Otti.
THE RAIN
Monday, May 29th, 2023 witnessed heavy downpour with hurricane wind that brought down trees, poles and some kekes. That early morning, as early as 6am, nature announced its presence and watered the ground for the change of baton in Abia State. It washed away the old order and set the stage for a new people oriented servant. The
people defied the rain. At the stadium, instead of citizens escaping, they multiplied. They waited under the rain to receive the crown leader. They never gave up. They chanted, sang and danced to counter the cold. So many people left the stadium with only top of their shoes, canvass and palms as the marshy soil in the stadium separated the sole from the top. They never complained. The masses cared less. They roared in ecstasy and blessed the day because their votes counted. It was joy all the way. It was indeed showers of blessing.
UMUAHIA CITY
The city witnessed genuine crowd. Crowd that came to see and be part of history. There was traffic from roads adjourning the stadium. Ikot Ekpene Road, Azikiwe Road, Aba Road, School Road, Finbarrs Street, Bende Road, BCA Road etc confessed that something happened. No story of rented crowd and unfortunate blows that follows settlements. People were fulfilled and no security breaches was reported. Amazing thanks to visible security presence though the people were orderly and maintained sanity. It’s a memory that everyone will take to the grave.
SIDE ATTRACTIONS
There were many unusual things that happened on that day, Monday, 29th May 2023. They were unbelievable and positive signal that we are in for real deal. The new Abia everyone is committed to emerged ever willing to assist His Excellency recover Abia from years of locusts. They are among others:
A 91 Years Old Woman Was There.
When I and some members of my Team of Concerned Consultative Caucus Group were advancing to Stadium from Finbarrs Street, behold we saw my Auntie, a 91 year old woman who came all the way from Arochukwu to witness the Inauguration of Dr Alex Otti. Yes she campaigned for him. She refused entreaties to stay at home but Daa Regina Kanu of Isimkpu Village walked unaided to the stadium. People took pictures with her. We guided her into the stadium, got seat for her and advised her to wait for us. On our way out midway into the event, Mama refused leaving with us saying she didn’t come with us as she will stay to see the end and she did and got home safely. The only sad thing was that the evil beings at the stadium snatched her gold necklace which she said I must replace for her……but that’s a story for another day. Dada was indeed part of the story.
Vigilantes
Anyone in Umuahia would have observed the unfortunate and unreasonable blocking of Bende road and adjourning streets by 8pm. The only option left for motorists will be to patronize internal kukere roads to get to their destinations. It doesn’t come free and you pay or appreciate each team you meet. Depending on your route, you may drop at three checkpoints. Surprisingly, that day, the spirit of God and aura of new Abia was with them. They allowed us free passage because of the Inauguration of Dr Alex Otti whom they believed is going to change Abia sad narratives. That’s the we can spirit which can conquer every adversity.
Air Display
The air display by the Airforce jet added glamour to the event. It was eye catching, amazing and beautiful. The people watched the display that I cant remember when last it took place in Abia. It was unusual and announced uncommon expectations from the government of Dr Alex Otti.
Hotels
The crowd and visitors into Umuahia on Sunday 28th May was visible. The city was agog. Visitors could be seen everywhere. Top notch Hotels were all fully booked. Unknown hotels were ultimately known and occupied. They smiled to the banks as their businesses boomed for at least two days, Sunday and Monday. It’s an indication that good governance can improve tourism and conquer poverty.
Free Foods and Drinks
The day Dr Alex Otti was declared Governor elect for Abia State, most restaurants and bars threw their doors open for celebration. On 29th May, after the swearing in ceremony, many vendors celebrated by feasting customers and neighbours free. It was Joy of quantum proportions.
SAD END
The inauguration ended on sweet note. Abians like other Nigerians retired to their homes. Citizens went to the Fuel Stations either to buy product for their cars and generating sets ( I beta pass my nebo). They first observed that some stations were shut and the ones that opened had adjusted pump price to N400 per litre. They complained and the uninformed got angry with Dr Otti believing he increased fuel price after celebrating him. A little explanation that it’s from non strategic APC government caused it did the magic. They went home sad as the economic theory of the only thing that can bring a change in quantity demanded downed on them. Their joy was cut short but the ultimate winners are Abians…….welcome our brand new Governor, His Excellency Dr Alex Chioma Otti.
Mazi Dr Agodi KANU is a writer, author, political activist and security consultant as well as Director-General of NAGLI.
