By Godwin Adindu—
Is Governor Alex Otti’s victory in 2027 going to be a result of the Power of Incumbency or the Power of Services? This debate raged, almost violently, yesterday on an open downtown ground. I argued for the Power of Services.
I stood firmly that services have an inherent disarming force and that Governor Otti has won the hearts of Abians with his excellent services. I argued that Governor Otti’s performance index is the testimonial he would flaunt and brandish to the Abia electorate.
There is no denying the fact that Obi Wave may not blow again with the same conquering force and pandemic energy as was the case in 2023. But the truth is that Governor Otti has built his own wave in Abia State. This wave is visible and infectious. Governor Otti has built a stand-alone force through performance and excellent stewardship.
Abia masses have undergone a series of organic political evolution, from Mamacracy to the reign of cabals, and can willingly testify to the overwhelming force of services and performance. Abia masses are witnesses to the uncommon transformation and Otti’s Midas Touch that has changed Abia.
No, it is not going to be by the power of incumbency. The myth of the power of incumbency has been demystified in Nigeria. It was demystified in Ekiti State in 2014 when Ayodele Fayose of the PDP defeated incumbent Kayode Fayemi of the APC.
It was demystified in 2015 when General Muhammadu Buhari defeated incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. It was even demystified here in Abia State in 2023 when Senator Enyi Abaribe defeated incumbent Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. The list is long.
It therefore follows that the power of incumbency is an old and obsolete theory in Nigeria. It is no more reliable to think that the Chief Executive has a larger-than-life personality and power to influence and dictate the movement of power, and even influence electoral victories to his favour and choice.
Agreed that the Chief Executive has control over the machinery of government, but Otti has worked out his political destiny as far as 2027 is concerned.
Abia masses have become politically conscious and aware of their environment. Abia masses now make independent comparisons and voluntary decisions. They are living witnesses to the new city of Aba and Umuahia, clean cities with street lights and metro-buses with bus stops; organized cities without touts and commotion but free-flowing traffic. Abia masses are living in the communities and plying the newly constructed roads to their villages and communities. Their joy is derived from the power of services.
It is this power that Governor Otti deploys as he heads to the polls of Phillipi in 2027.
- *Adindu writes from Umuahia
