By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
In a pointed departure from the traditional”godfatherism” that has long characterised Nigerian politics, Abia State Governor Alex Otti has declared that his administration owes its existence solely to divine providence and the will of the people.
Speaking during a recent engagement in the state capital, the Ggovernor emphasised that the absence of a political benefactor has granted his administration the rare freedom to prioritize the welfare of Abians above all else.
A Break from the “Godfather” Tradition
For decades, the political landscape in many Nigerian states has been defined by the “godfather” system—a structure where wealthy or influential patrons install candidates in exchange for absolute loyalty and control over state resources.
Governor Otti, however, asserts that his path to the Government House followed a different trajectory.
”We do not have any godfather to report to, except the Almighty God who ordained this journey and the people of Abia who stood by us,” Otti stated.
“Because we were not installed by any man, we are not under pressure to divert the state’s commonwealth to satisfy the greed of a few.”
The Burden of Divine Ordination
Governor Otti framed his leadership not just as a political victory, but as a spiritual and moral obligation.
By attributing his victory to God, he signaled that his “performance review” comes from a higher authority and the public he serves, rather than a political boardroom.
Key Pillars of the “People-First” Agenda:
Infrastructure over Patronage: Redirecting funds previously used for “political settlements” into road construction and urban renewal.
Civil Service Reform: Ensuring timely payment of salaries and pensions—a long-standing grievance in the state.
Accountability: Establishing a governance model that is transparent and answerable to the electorate.
Why This Matters for Abia’s Future
The Governor’s remarks come at a time when Abia is undergoing a significant transition. For years, the state was often cited as a laggard in the Southeast regarding development.
Otti’s “No Choice” philosophy suggests that his hands are tied—not by a puppet master, but by a sense of duty to fix the state’s broken systems.
