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“In a society where lies have been weaponized as truth, anyone who is trying to change the unlawful narrative will be seen as an example of abnormality.”- DSM
Respect is earned, and I believe that Dr. Alex Chioma Otti merits the President’s respect, particularly by ensuring that he personally honors the state’s invitation to commission most significant projects in Abia State on the 3rd of October, 2025.
My reason: “There is a wide gap of difference between a father’s direct blessings to the family and his son’s errand massage of blessings to the family.”- DSM.
Let me remind us, and of course, without any attempt at diplomatic evasion or circumlocution, it is unequivocally clear that Mr. President did not personally visit Abia State, rather, it was Mr. Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, who made the visit.
While one might attempt to mask this undeniable fact and cover the perceived shame with the convenient acronym of “President’s Representative,” the undeniable truth remains that Abia State neither requested nor expected anyone else other than Mr. President himself for the elaborate commissioning of its significant projects. Any other individual who appeared in his stead was, in essence, a counterfeit or an inadequate substitute.
To draw an analogy, if it is not a genuine medicine, such as a panadol for a headache, then it is something entirely different and less effective. The expectation was for the head of state, the highest office, to grace the occasion, signifying the national importance and recognition of the developmental strides in Abia.
The presence of a representative, no matter how high-ranking, inherently diminishes the perceived significance of the event in the eyes of the populace who had anticipated the President’s personal attendance. This substitution, therefore, felt like a deliberate slight, undermining the efforts and achievements being celebrated. The people of Abia, having endured years of perceived neglect, had hoped for a direct acknowledgment from the highest office, a gesture that would have validated their experiences and the current positive trajectory of their state.
For a great number of us who had been eagerly looking forward to the President’s personal visit, the turn of events felt akin to an “April Fool” saga in the month of October. The profound sense of letdown and the feeling of being misled were palpable across the state.
The absence of the President, coupled with the subsequent attempts by some politicians to downplay its significance and praise the President while trying to demarket the best Governor that has ever ruled Abia State, was seen as an attempt to claim credit where it was not entirely due, adding insult to injury. This mischievous narrative, pushed by certain opposition party political figure, was perceived as an attempt to manipulate public opinion and deflect attention from the President’s absence.
Some of these politicians, mostly from Nd’Igbo, spoke in a manner that suggested that they perceived the citizens of Abia State as lacking in intelligence or discernment by chosen to eulogize President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT), portraying him as a messianic figure, rather than acknowledging the great efforts of the Governor in managing the state’s resources prudently.
One undeniable truth is that, at this present moment, you cannot effectively assuage the concerns or trick the intelligent populace of Abians by attempting to manipulate their perceptions. For a period 24 years, Abia State was perceived to be in a state of stagnation or “bondage,” and never before have the citizens of Abia experienced the kind of transformative development that is currently unfolding. Abians will not tolerate being mocked or condescended to by self-serving politicians whose primary allegiance appears to be the worship of individuals at the national center.
The work being undertaken by Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, the current Governor, is demonstrably verifiable, and all the projects he has initiated and executed are tangible, concrete, and clearly perceptible to the populace.
A truly effective and commendable leader does not need to resort to propagating propaganda; rather, the quality and impact of his or her work will be self-evident and clearly displayed for all to see. If a leader possesses credibility and maintains a focused vision, this will be universally recognized. If essential infrastructures are genuinely being constructed and improved upon, their presence will be glaringly obvious to everyone.
The people of Abia are not easily swayed by such tactics of overblown praises; their experiences over the past two decades have sharpened their critical faculties, making them acutely aware of genuine progress versus political posturing. The tangible nature of the current projects under Dr. Alex Chioma Otti’s leadership stands in stark contrast to the rhetoric, making it difficult for any amount of political spin to alter the reality on the ground.
Most of us cannot genuinely claim ignorance regarding the pervasive moral decline and significant character flaws exhibited by a substantial number of our leaders. We are, in essence, all metaphorically drowning in a sea of sycophancy and pretense.
We choose to pretend and avoid direct confrontation when we should be forthright, and “call a spade a spade.” It is precisely this pervasive culture of pretense that led some individuals to enthusiastically hail the “empty chair” of Mr. President, a clear and undeniable symbol of his absence.
Misrepresenting a minister’s visit as a presidential one will not only undermine trust but also it can create a false narrative that can have long-term implications for the perception of leadership and governance. Children, in particular, are highly impressionable, and exposing them to such deliberate misrepresentations can erode their faith in authority and the importance of truthfulness.
It is imperative that we cease manipulating the emotional and psychological well-being of our children. If we find ourselves unable to convey the unvarnished truth regarding a minister’s visit, specifically when it is presented as a substitute for a presidential engagement, then we must unequivocally acknowledge that we are collectively engaging in deception. It is simply unacceptable to portray this ministerial visit as if it were a genuine presidential visit.
Furthermore, the distinction between a ministerial visit and a presidential visit is not merely a matter of protocol; it carries significant weight in terms of the level of engagement, the scope of discussions, and the symbolic importance for the state being visited.
A presidential visit typically signifies a direct and personal commitment from the highest office, often leading to more substantial policy discussions, project inaugurations, and a direct connection with the people. On the other hand, a ministerial visit, while important, operates at a different level of governmental hierarchy and carries a different set of implications.
Therefore, to avoid any misunderstanding or misrepresentation, it is crucial to communicate clearly and honestly about the nature of such visits. This clarity ensures that the President’s official records accurately reflect his engagements and that the people of Abia State are not left with a false impression of a presidential visit that did not, in fact, occur.
The truth must be disclosed without reservation, primarily to ensure that the esteemed Mr. President does not erroneously record Abia State in his official diary as one of the states he personally visited on the 3rd of October 2025.
The President should be fully aware and keep in mind that the distinguished and resilient populace of Abia State continues to anticipate his prompt and personal arrival. It is our privilege and right to demand for our president’s visit. Every son or daughter who is doing great, deserves his father’s warm embrace and blessings. We are not demanding too much, but a true natural sign of family bonding. And sincerely, we are looking forward to seeing Mr President physically on a new anticipatory forthcoming event, and by God’s amazing grace, coupled with the gracious consent of the revered Chioma Ndị Abia, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, I will be privileged to be among those who’ll be excited to warmly welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abia State.
As we wait for the President’s actual visit soon, and which is by the way palpable, it is very essential that this anticipation is met with the glimpses of physical and authentic experiences, rather than a substitute. This genuine anticipated welcome would signify a moment of unity and direct engagement, fostering a stronger bond between the federal leadership and the people of Abia State, and ultimately, usher in a bond of immeasurable presidential handshake for the greater exploits in Abia State that will surely galvanize me to come in PEACE.
Dr. Sunny Oby Maduka (DSM), is an Author, Resource Personality, Management Consultant/ Trainer, Chartered/Certified – Au d i t o r / A c c o u n t a n t , Financial Compliance Expert, Economic/Political Analyst Strategist, Marine Expert and Motivationist)
