The responsibilities of a State Governor are enormous. Time is often insufficient to accomplish the huge workload placed before every chief executive. Although many citizens are not fully aware of the constitutional responsibilities of a governor—particularly the provision of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”—a governor who is genuinely committed to good governance will have little time for politics that does not translate into development.
The level of income inequality across the South-East is alarming. While a privileged few continue to accumulate enormous wealth, millions remain trapped in cycles of poverty that are both persistent and generational.
Good governance must therefore go beyond infrastructure and deliberately address inclusive economic growth.
Road construction is important, but in many states, projects are often driven more by political considerations than by strategic planning. What the region requires is a well-defined development roadmap that prioritises economic impact, connectivity, and the long-term welfare of the people.
Our people have endured years of poor governance, so even modest improvements are greeted with overwhelming celebration. That appears to be the situation in Abia State under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti. Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, many Abians experienced years of infrastructural decay and declining public services. With the emergence of Governor Otti, many residents believe a new chapter has begun.
The last time I visited Aba, several residents described Governor Alex Otti as a “miracle worker.” That perception stems largely from his administration’s rehabilitation of key roads and the prompt evacuation of the mountains of refuse that had become a defining feature of Enyimba City within the first eight months of his administration.
These achievements restored public confidence and demonstrated that responsive governance is possible.
However, good governance must extend beyond roads and sanitation. Affordable food, decent housing, quality jobs, reliable public water supply, accessible healthcare, and policies that reduce income inequality remain essential pillars of sustainable development. It is difficult to achieve lasting security when millions of young people remain unemployed/ underemployed.
To his credit, Governor Otti appears to appreciate this reality. His administration’s partnerships with private sector initiatives such as Geometric Power and Chinese solar energy investors are encouraging steps towards stimulating economic activity. Nevertheless, equal attention should be paid to the affordability of these services, considering the limited purchasing power of the average citizen.
As an economist and accomplished banker, Governor Otti understands the importance of deploying competent human resources and creating an enabling environment for investment and productivity. The effective mobilisation of Abians and residents towards improving education, agriculture, road infrastructure, affordable housing, healthcare, organised transportation, law and order, and industrial development will ultimately determine the long-term success of his administration.
I also attempted to assess the quality of Abia State Government’s public communication and service delivery. Through an online search, I obtained the government’s toll-free number: 08000000232. I tried to obtain the contact details of the Governor’s spokesperson, Mr. Kazie Uko, but could not find a publicly available telephone number.
When I called the toll-free line, I was requested to indicate the particular department i would wish to talk to .And when i indicated , i was asked to hold because all officers were reportedly busy. I remained on hold for about nine minutes without any response. I called repeatedly and experienced the same outcome. This represents a service delivery gap that deserves the Governor’s attention.
The state’s public communication architecture requires urgent reform if government intends to remain accessible and responsive to citizens.
In the era of Artificial Intelligence, effective call centre management requires professionalism, technology, and well-trained personnel with competitive reward system. It should no longer be viewed merely as an administrative function but as a critical component of public service delivery and government accountability.
Governor Alex Otti’s background as an economist and successful banker suggests that he understands the importance of attracting, motivating, and retaining competent professionals in sensitive public positions. Effective governance depends not only on visionary leadership but also on the quality of the institutions and personnel that implement government policies.
The South-East needs visionary, accountable, and results-driven leadership now more than ever. We do not need leaders who demand unquestioning loyalty or personality cults. Constructive criticism strengthens democracy, improves governance, and ultimately serves the public interest.
Ndubuisi Anaenugwu
Ambassador-General, Good Governance Ministry (GGM)
ggovernanceministry@gmail.com
