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A federal lawmaker from the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has praised Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti of the Labour Party, describing his two-year tenure as “revolutionary” and “magical.”
Honourable Alex Mascot, representing Aba North and Aba South Federal Constituency, made the remarks during a television interview on AIT’s Jigsaw programme,where he conducted a midterm assessment of various government levels across Nigeria.
According to Mascot, Governor Otti has accomplished what previous administrations failed to achieve over decades. “There are roads that were bad in Abia State before I was born, roads that were bad in the 70s that no government has been able to touch. In two years, Dr. Alex Otti has done magic,” the federal lawmaker stated.
The lawmaker highlighted the transformation of critical commercial routes, including the Aba-Cameroon road corridor that had deteriorated so badly that businesses were forced to use alternative routes through Arochukwu and Akwa Ibom, significantly slowing down economic activities in the commercial hub of Aba.
“Today people are coming in from different parts of the state, different parts of the country, different parts of the world, different parts of Africa to come and do business in Aba. All thanks to Dr. Alex Otti. Aba is about to announce itself to the world again,” Ikwechegh declared.
The anchor drew attention to the remarkable transformation of Ariaria Market, traditionally known as the commercial heartbeat of the Southeast. He described witnessing a seven-storey building with functional lifts in areas that previously required boats to access during rainy seasons.
“I saw a video of a seven-storey building and they said this is part of Ariaria market with lifts working and all of that. I said, ‘Wow, I would like to see this, not just video, but I would like to practically see it,’” he recounted, emphasizing the dramatic shift from Abia’s previous state to its current transformation.
Mascot revealed that even members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) privately acknowledge Otti’s exceptional performance. “Those in APC like the deputy speaker and the popular senator would tell you privately that Alex Otti has performed extraordinarily well,” he disclosed.
The federal lawmaker went further to suggest that if the Labour Party resolves its internal challenges, he may consider joining the party to support Otti’s re-election bid, regardless of party lines. “It will be totally preposterous for anybody in Abia state not to show support directly or indirectly,” he stated.
Mascot also praised Otti’s healthcare initiatives, contrasting the current state of medical facilities with previous administrations. “In the past you would go visit some of our hospitals and then there’s no electricity, the nurses are not even available, they are demoralized, they are not being paid, but today the story is different,” he explained.
The governor’s comprehensive approach to governance has reportedly created what Mascot described as a “contagious energy” of competence that has transformed public service delivery across various sectors.
Drawing from his knowledge of Otti’s background as a former bank executive with First Bank and Diamond Bank, Mascot emphasized that the governor brings rare technocratic competence to governance. “Having somebody who is competent at the helm of affairs in Nigerian politics is quite scarce. For the first time, we have witnessed a man that truly understands what true governance entails,” he noted.
The lawmaker’s assessment suggests that Otti’s performance has not only transformed Abia State but has also set new benchmarks for governance that other states are now being measured against.
The restoration of critical infrastructure has brought back international traders to conduct business in the state. This economic revival has implications beyond Abia’s borders, potentially influencing regional economic activities across the Southeast and South-South zones.
Governor Otti’s performance in Abia State appears to be creating a template for effective governance that transcends party lines, with even opposition politicians acknowledging the transformative impact of competent leadership on state development.
