Politics
Alex Otti In Trouble As APC Vows To Take Over Abia In 2027
Alex Otti In Trouble As APC Vows To Take Over Abia In 2027
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
The political atmosphere in Abia State is heating up, and the temperature is rising rapidly. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired a direct political missile at Governor Alex Otti, vowing with unshakable resolve to take over the Government House in Umuahia come 2027. It is no longer business as usual. The sleeping giant of the opposition in the state claims to be wide awake, and the battle for the soul of Abia has begun in earnest.
The APC chieftains, speaking in Umuahia last week, declared unequivocally that they are on a mission to “rescue Abia from economic stagnation and elitist governance.” Their choice of words was deliberate and direct—a sharp criticism of Otti’s leadership style, which many within and outside the state describe as more cosmetic than transformational.
A Wake-Up Call for Labour Party
Alex Otti, a former bank executive and celebrated technocrat, rode to power under the Labour Party’s banner in 2023, buoyed by the Peter Obi wave and a strong anti-establishment sentiment among the electorate. His emergence was seen as a break from decades of political recycling in Abia. But less than two years into his tenure, the narrative has begun to shift.
Critics argue that Otti has failed to address the core structural and socio-economic issues affecting the state. While flyovers, road rehabilitation, and civil service audits dominate his press briefings, many say these are mere surface-level interventions. The youth remain unemployed, the SMEs suffocating under harsh taxes, and rural areas neglected.
The APC’s bold declaration should not be taken lightly. The party, which has federal might and a national structure, is poised to exploit every misstep of the current administration. According to Chief Ikechi Emenike, a prominent APC stakeholder in Abia, “We are going to dismantle this Labour Party experiment in 2027. What is going on in Abia today is not governance—it is a reality show.”
History and the Winds of Political Change
Abia’s political history has largely been dominated by the PDP until the Labour Party disrupted the power structure in 2023. However, the euphoria of change is being quickly eroded by a growing sense of disillusionment. Political observers note that Otti’s technocratic governance style often clashes with the everyday realities of the average Abian.
The APC is capitalizing on this disconnect. They are rebranding and reorganizing. Several prominent politicians from both PDP and LP have reportedly begun secret talks with the APC ahead of 2027. As the legendary political thinker Niccolò Machiavelli wrote in The Prince, “It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.” The APC seems to be adopting this posture—less of diplomacy, more of political conquest.
Governance Under Scrutiny
The Labour Party-led administration in Abia cannot afford to ignore the mounting criticisms. While Governor Otti has been praised for promoting transparency and tackling ghost workers, many still argue that the state’s economy is shrinking. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Abia ranked 24th out of 36 states in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2024—a sharp contrast to the governor’s media claims of economic transformation.
In the words of Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, “Development is not about highways and flyovers; it is about improving the lives of the people.” If the APC succeeds in framing the current administration as elitist and disconnected, they may very well succeed in 2027.
The Power of Political Messaging
The APC’s strategy is clear: target the grassroots. With over 70% of Abians living in rural communities, a political party that ignores them does so at its peril. According to Professor Chidi Odinkalu, a respected human rights activist, “Democracy must begin at the village square.” Unfortunately, many in Abia’s hinterlands claim they haven’t seen any difference since Otti assumed office.
Former President Barack Obama once said, “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.” The APC seems to be deploying this line of attack: no matter how beautified Umuahia looks, if the people in Arochukwu, Bende, and Umunneochi still drink muddy water and send their children to roofless schools, the government has failed.
A Divided Opposition, or a Formidable Force?
The only potential setback for the APC is internal disunity. The party has suffered from factionalism in the past. But recent moves suggest a consensus is building around the goal of reclaiming Abia. If the party can field a charismatic candidate with both grassroots and elite appeal, Governor Otti may be in serious trouble.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, once stated, “Leadership is not about titles or positions. It is about impact, influence, and inspiration.” This is a powerful reminder that political branding alone cannot win elections. Performance must meet perception.
The People Hold the Key
No political calculation is complete without considering the voters. The people of Abia will ultimately decide who governs them. The 2023 elections demonstrated that they are tired of recycled politics. But what they want now is not just change—but results.
Dr. John Campbell, former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, wrote in his book Nigeria: Dancing on the Brink, “Nigerians are not asking for miracles. They are asking for basic decency in governance.” The people of Abia want working hospitals, functioning schools, a vibrant economy, and jobs—not press releases or photo-ops.
Looking Ahead: 2027 and Beyond
With less than two years to the next election, political movements will intensify. The APC’s message of reclaiming Abia must be matched with credible plans, not just political rhetoric. They must offer an alternative that resonates with ordinary people. For now, Governor Otti still holds the mandate, but his political honeymoon is clearly over.
Former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower once warned, “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” Governor Otti must reconnect with the aspirations of the masses or risk being dethroned by a more tactically grounded opposition.
As 2027 approaches, the state will likely witness a fierce electoral battle—one not just of personalities, but of ideologies, performance, and public trust. If the APC maintains its current momentum and strategic clarity, then indeed, Alex Otti may be in serious political trouble.
Conclusion
The vow by the APC to take over Abia in 2027 is more than political talk; it is a signal of war. A war of narratives, of performance, and of perception. Governor Alex Otti must rise above press conferences and elite commendations. He must return to the streets, listen to the people, and correct the course of his administration. The time of political grace is gone. Now begins the time of political reckoning.
As the popular African proverb goes, “The man who fetches firewood infested with ants invites lizards to his home.” If Governor Otti does not change direction quickly, the lizards of opposition may soon overrun his political household.
The Grip of Godfathers: How Political Puppeteers Hijacked Nigeria’s 2023 Elections
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In any genuine democracy, power flows from the people to their leaders. But in Nigeria, especially in the 2023 general elections, this democratic ideal was once again hijacked by an entrenched system of political godfatherism—an unholy alliance of oligarchs, kingmakers, and shadowy puppeteers who wield immense influence over who gets elected and who gets crushed. The result is a democracy disfigured by greed, betrayal, and manipulation.
The Anatomy of Godfatherism in Nigeria
Godfatherism in Nigerian politics is not new. Since the return to democracy in 1999, it has played a dominant role in shaping the political landscape. Godfathers are wealthy political elites—often former governors, military officers, or businessmen—who sponsor candidates into power in exchange for loyalty, contracts, and control of state resources. As Professor Attahiru Jega, former INEC chairman, once noted, “Nigeria’s elections are not necessarily won by popularity or competence but by who controls the political machinery” (Jega, 2022).
The 2023 elections were a glaring manifestation of this disease. Across the country, from Lagos to Kano, Rivers to Delta, godfathers imposed candidates, manipulated primaries, and dictated outcomes with impunity. It wasn’t about manifestos or merit; it was about loyalty to the political mafia.
Lagos: The Jagaban Effect
Nowhere was godfatherism more pronounced than in Lagos State. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the self-acclaimed “Jagaban of Borgu” and national leader of the APC, has maintained a vice-like grip on Lagos politics since 1999 (TheCable, 2023). In 2023, he ascended to the presidency not by a groundswell of popular support but by orchestrating a brutal, well-funded political machine that bulldozed its way through party primaries and general elections.
Despite throwing the full weight of his influence behind the APC candidate for governor, the Labour Party made historic gains in Lagos, defeating APC in the presidential vote within Tinubu’s stronghold (INEC Official Results, 2023). Yet, voter suppression, intimidation, and ethnic incitement marred the subsequent gubernatorial polls—underscoring how far godfathers will go to maintain control (Amnesty International, 2023).
As Chinua Achebe once warned, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership” (Achebe, 1983). That leadership failure is deeply tied to the stranglehold of political godfathers who prioritize personal gain over national progress.
Northern Nigeria: The Invisible Hands
In the North, political godfatherism took a more insidious form. Former military generals and entrenched politicians, particularly those from Buhari’s camp, played strategic roles in determining party tickets and political deals. The G5 governors’ rebellion in PDP—led by Wike, Ortom, Makinde, Ugwuanyi, and Ikpeazu—was itself a godfatherist power play aimed at disrupting national party consensus (Vanguard, 2023).
In Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike turned the state into a battleground of interests, publicly undermining his own party while negotiating backdoor deals with APC. The resulting electoral confusion led to disputed results and a fractured political environment (Premium Times, 2023).
The Electoral Betrayal of the Masses
INEC’s failure to transmit election results electronically despite promising to do so under the 2022 Electoral Act was a monumental betrayal. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), hailed as a game-changer, was abandoned during collation, opening the door to rigging (European Union Election Observation Mission, 2023).
The “Obidient” movement, powered by youth disillusionment and the candidacy of Peter Obi, gave millions of Nigerians hope. But that hope was crushed not just by INEC’s failure but by the deeply entrenched political oligarchs who feared losing power to the people.
As political scientist Robert Michels observed in his “Iron Law of Oligarchy,” “Who says organization, says oligarchy.” Nigerian parties, structured around godfathers, operate not as democratic institutions but as authoritarian vehicles of personal ambition.
The Tragedy of Compromise and Silence
Most tragic is the normalization of this dysfunction. Religious leaders, traditional rulers, and even the judiciary have often chosen silence or convenient neutrality. But as Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka rightly declared, “The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny” (Soyinka, 1972). In 2023, silence was louder than outrage.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s hands-off approach to post-election violence and widespread irregularities further eroded public confidence. Despite pledging to leave a legacy of free and fair elections, Buhari’s silence on INEC’s failures and his party’s abuses was deafening.
The Cost of Godfatherism
The cost of godfatherism is not just political—it is economic and social. It kills initiative, breeds incompetence, and facilitates corruption. When leaders are beholden to patrons, they have little incentive to serve the people.
The World Bank reports that Nigeria has lost over $400 billion to corruption since independence (World Bank, 2022). A significant portion of this is tied to godfather networks and political patronage. State capture, contract fraud, inflated budgets, and ghost projects are the legacy of politicians who serve their funders, not their constituents.
A Way Forward: Breaking the Chains
To dismantle the system of godfatherism, Nigeria must reform its institutions. INEC must be truly independent, immune from executive or legislative interference. Political party financing should be transparent and audited. Civil society must hold leaders accountable, and the media must stop being megaphones for political propaganda.
Political parties should internalize democracy—allowing primaries to be decided by merit, not by money or manipulation. As Nelson Mandela once said, “A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy” (Mandela, 1994). The Nigerian media must rise to this responsibility.
Voter education is essential. Citizens must understand their power and refuse to sell their votes. The success of the “Not Too Young To Run” Act and the rise of youth-led political activism in 2023 prove that the tide can turn—but only with sustained resistance.
Conclusion: A Call to Reclaim Democracy
Nigeria cannot move forward while her politics remains in the chokehold of godfathers. The 2023 elections should not just be remembered as a contest of candidates but as a referendum on whether Nigerians are truly free to choose their leaders.
As Dora Akunyili once said, “We must fight for the soul of our nation.” That fight must be waged at the ballot box, in the courts, on the streets, and in our hearts. The era of godfatherism must end—for democracy, development, and dignity to thrive in Nigeria.
_Sylvester is a prolific writer and political analyst; He writes from Johannesburg._
Just in: China Erases Nigeria:
A Diplomatic Earthquake or a Wake-Up Call?
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Introduction: A Shocking Move from Beijing
In a move that has stunned the international community, the People’s Republic of China has taken an audacious and provocative diplomatic step:
Removed Nigeria from its official land map
Deactivated Nigerian presence on Chinese apps like WeChat and Weibo
Shut down the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing
Recalled its ambassador from Abuja
These actions are not just a geopolitical insult, they are a direct challenge to the legitimacy of Nigeria as a sovereign state.
Beijing’s Provocation: “Nigeria Has Expired”
According to the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, Nigeria was a colonial construct designed to exist for only 100 years, referencing the 1914 British amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates. Their chilling statement read:
“Nigeria’s continued existence has no historical or legal foundation. It is an expired project being manipulated by a corrupt elite.”
This unprecedented dismissal of a country’s legitimacy by a major power is deeply disturbing and diplomatically irresponsible.
Sovereignty Under Threat: A Dangerous Precedent
China’s actions violate several principles of international law, including:
The United Nations Charter (Article 2): Respect for the sovereignty of all member states
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961)
The African Union Constitutive Act (2000)
This move sends a dangerous message: that powerful nations can now erase weaker states based on selective historical interpretations.
Hypocrisy at Its Peak: China’s Double Standards
Beijing’s stance reeks of hypocrisy. China is itself a union of vastly different regions and ethnic groups:
Tibet and Xinjiang are held through military suppression.
Hong Kong is governed under the contentious “One Country, Two Systems.”
Taiwan, which China claims, is a fully functioning democratic entity.
How does a country that brutally suppresses secessionist sentiments now justify dismantling Nigeria for the same reasons it opposes in its own territories?
A Wake-Up Call for Nigeria’s Leadership
As painful as this is, Nigeria must reflect on why such an insult was possible in the first place. Over the last decade, the country has deteriorated in almost every global index:
Key Statistics (2015–2024):
Unemployment: Rose from 9.9% in 2015 to over 33.3% in 2023 (NBS)
Poverty: Over 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty (NBS, 2022)
Exchange rate: Naira devalued from ₦199/$1 in 2015 to over ₦1,600/$1 in 2024
Minimum wage: ₦30,000 ($18 monthly equivalent), yet unpaid in over 20 states
Debt to China: Over $4 billion owed, much of it collateralized (DMO, 2023)
Terrorism: Boko Haram, banditry, and IPOB violence still unchecked
China’s declaration may be diplomatically outrageous, but it exposes a fundamental truth: Nigeria has failed to act as a nation-state.
Weaponized Economics: China’s Neo-Colonial Grip China’s economic involvement in Africa has long raised concerns about debt diplomacy and economic colonization. Nigeria, like many African states, fell into Beijing’s web:
Railway projects: Over $2.5 billion funded by Chinese banks
Airport terminals: Chinese-built and financed with opaque terms
Sovereignty clauses: Some loan agreements allegedly waive immunity over critical assets in disputes
If China halts funding or demands repayments, Nigeria’s fragile economy could face collapse.
African Solidarity Needed Now
The silence from African governments has been deafening. If Nigeria, the largest economy and most populous country in Africa, can be humiliated this way, then no African state is safe.
The African Union must:
Convene an emergency summit
Demand a full apology and diplomatic reversal from China
Consider sanctions or diplomatic retaliations if China persists
This is not just a Nigerian issue, it is an African existential crisis.
The Deafening Silence of the West
Western nations, typically vocal about human rights and sovereignty, have responded with vague platitudes. The UK—Nigeria’s former colonizer has said nothing meaningful. The US State Department simply urged “calm.”
This lack of global outcry reflects how far Nigeria has fallen in international relevance. A once-powerful voice in the Non-Aligned Movement, a key peacekeeping contributor, and regional stabilizer is now seen as a failed state.
The Identity Crisis: Who Is a Nigerian?
Beijing’s criticism touches a nerve: Nigeria’s identity crisis.
Over 250 ethnic groups
Three major religions with deep divisions.
Electoral politics driven by tribalism and zoning, not competence.
Secessionist agitations in the South East (IPOB), South West (Yoruba Nation), and Niger Delta
More than a century after amalgamation, there is still no unifying national vision. If China’s insult triggers a much-needed national debate, it could be a blessing in disguise.
From Humiliation to Rebirth
China’s erasure of Nigeria from its map and communication networks is outrageous, unlawful, and racist. But it is also a moment of reckoning.
*Nigeria must now:*
Reclaim its dignity through good governance
Rebuild national unity with a people-first constitution
Diversify its economy to reduce dependence on exploitative powers
Assert itself diplomatically as Africa’s true leader
This is not the end, it could be the beginning of Nigeria’s long-overdue transformation.
-
Business6 months agoComprehensive Media Audit Shows Flutterwave, MTN Nigeria, and Bolt Outpacing Competitors in Media Engagement
-
celebrity radar - gossips6 months agoHow Deji Adeyanju Secured The Release Of Speed Darlington
-
Politics6 months agoMy best is yet to come’ As Ambassador Adesina ‘Lanre Ogunsola affirmed at the APC APEX body, Obafemi Owode Local Government
-
Entertainment4 months agoAliu Gafar delivers stellar performance as Esusu in Femi Adebayo’s Seven Doors