5th March 2025, NewsOrient, Opinion, Column, News, Politics, Governance And Development
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

Last Saturday, the Abia State Government led by Dr. Alex Chioma Otti organized a state reception in honour of Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, a distinguished son of the State who turned 70 years. Abaribe who has been representing Abia South in the Senate since 2007 is the former Deputy Governor of the State. As one of the longest serving Senators in the nation`s National Assembly, Abaribe has established strong reputation as a courageous, fearless and forthright lawmaker in the country.

Much more importantly, Abaribe has been very vocal in his demand for a fair deal for the Igbo ethnic nationality in Nigeria. He has remained undaunted in his quest for an equitable and balanced Federation in which the Igbo and other constituent parts should be treated with respect and fairness. For the close to twenty years he has been in the Senate, Abaribe has been in the forefront of the campaign against the political and economic marginalization of the South East in the Nigerian Federation.

It is interesting to note that Governor Otti and Abaribe do not belong to the same political party. Abaribe came into the Senate in 2007 on the platform of the then ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In the 2023 General Elections, he was compelled by political exigencies to switch over to All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on which platform he contested and was returned for the fourth time to the Senate. On the other hand, Otti belongs to the Labour Party (LP) on which platform he was elected Governor in 2023.

But in spite of the political differences, Otti, in his characteristic civility and broadmindedness, deemed it necessary to roll out the drums and red carpets to celebrate Abaribe on his 70th birthday in recognition of his outstanding representation of not only Abia State, but Ndi Igbo, at the National Assembly. The gesture speaks volumes about the political maturity, large heartedness and candour of Governor Otti. The Governor has demonstrated that politics is not about warfare in which every opponent must be crushed or treated with contempt. For Otti, politics is about providing service and leadership to the people, irrespective of partisan considerations.

The sponsorship of the birthday reception is in line with the bi-partisan approach of Dr. Otti to leadership which has continued to take Abia to greater political heights. Speaking on the occasion, Otti described Abaribe as a man of courage who was worthy of being celebrated, adding that there was no partisan colouration to the event.

“We are here to celebrate a man that is courageous, a man that is selfless, a man that is unafraid to say the truth to power.
“Sometimes, some of us were afraid for him but God preserved his life up till today. It is not because of him, it is grace.
“So, when I am celebrating people that are worthy of being celebrated, I am not interested in politics; I am not even a regular politician anyway.
“I believe that people who are worthy of being celebrated should be celebrated and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe is worth being celebrated”.

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio who spoke on the occasion poured encomiums on Governor Otti for honouring Abaribe, describing Otti as a generous leader who means well for his people. He stated that Otti`s decision to host Abaribe despite political differences was a pointer to the fact he understands politics and have endeared himself to Abia people.

The honour being accorded Abaribe is not the first time the Governor was going beyond partisan lines to honour eminent statesmen in the State. He has done it in the past for Senator Adolphus Wabara, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP, an opposition party. He organized a similar reception for Dr. Eme Okoro, a former Secretary to the State Government in the previous PDP administration in the State.

The Governor announced on the occasion that he was going to extend similar gesture to some eminent sons of the State, including, Paulson Kalu and Bright Chimezie, two musical icons from the State; and Senator Chris Adighije who would be celebrating his 80th birthday soon. He also disclosed that he was going to host the post-humus birthday of Senator Jaja Anucha Wachukwu, a foremost indigene of Abia State and pioneer Foreign Minister of Nigeria.

The course which Otti has chosen is a path that leads to unity and greatness of the State. These laudable actions would not only help to forge elite consensus in the State, it would also go a long way in promoting a culture of politics and governance that is devoid of bitterness and recriminations.

Otti deserves commendation for the bi-partisan approach he has wisely chosen in the governance of Abia State. It portrays him as a statesman who is motivated by the greatest interest of the State. It is not surprising, therefore, that he has continued to receive accolades from sections of the populace for his governance style. Abaribe lauded the Governor for honouring him and thanked him for the great job he was doing in the State.

Otti is really laying a solid foundation for a cohesive and united State. A new Abia is indeed possible!

Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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