WEEKEND MUSINGS When Failure Organises: A Coalition Built on Corruption, Lost Relevance, and Political Amnesia It takes either a complete stranger to Abia State, or a wilful amnesiac, not to be acquainted with the chequered and regrettable history of its political leadership in the not-too-distant past. For decades, Abia, aptly christened God’s Own State, was governed less as a commonwealth and more as a private estate, parceled out among successive executives whose tenures were defined not by legacy, but by plunder. Indeed, a now-familiar pattern emerged: officials who served under successive PDP administrations, many of whom later sought ideological refuge in the APC for political oxygen and judicial soft-landing, have repeatedly found themselves escorted, not ceremonially but coercively, before the courts by Nigeria’s most relentless anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). What continues to perplex Nigerians, and Abians in particular, is not merely the scale of the looting, monumental by any civilised metric, but the astonishing audacity with which many of these individuals still roam freely, strutting through public spaces as though immunity were a natural entitlement. Even more disturbing is their ability to secure elective offices, where flamboyance often substitutes for accountability. More perplexing still is the brazenness with which these same political relics now challenge an administration whose performance has been openly acknowledged, even by the President and Commander-in-Chief, as exceptional in the delivery of democratic dividends. One is compelled to ask: is this courage, or simply the desperation of men whose political pensions and relevance are under existential threat? Let us be unequivocal. Under these former administrations, Abia consistently ranked among the worst-performing states in the Federation: collapsed infrastructure, unpaid salaries and pensions, decayed healthcare, moribund education, and an economy hovering near rigor mortis. Today, under the leadership of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, Abia is witnessing a renaissance so profound that observers have half-jokingly described it as the Dubai of the South-East. Roads long abandoned have been resurrected. Aba, the commercial heartbeat of the South-East, has been reclaimed, re-engineered, and restored to productive life. Economic confidence has surged. Security has improved measurably. Civil servants are paid promptly. Contractors are held to standards, not sentiments. For the first time in a long while, Abians are witnessing governance at its peak. The question troubling many is simple: How is Dr. Alex Otti @alexottiofr achieving what his predecessors swore was impossible? The answer; though inconvenient to his critics, is equally simple: prudence, transparency, discipline, and vision. Yet, in a tragicomic twist, a handful of political fossils, men whose records read like draft charge sheets, have summoned the audacity to threaten this progress. They forget, however, that Nigeria’s current President has repeatedly affirmed that development is non-negotiable, regardless of party affiliation. Anambra State stands as a living testament. Today, these hirelings and political charlatans, individuals who ought, by every moral and judicial reckoning, to be answering sterner questions, have rediscovered their voices, chanting the hollow chorus of “change,” as though Abians suffer from collective memory loss. To imagine that the people of Abia will quietly surrender their reclaimed future to predators who once mortgaged it is not merely insulting, it is delusional. As the Igbo wisely say: “Ihe eji n’aka ejighi ugegbe enyo ya.” This so-called coalition of former devourers of Abia’s common patrimony; illusionarily assembled to wrest power from a performing incumbent, is a strategy dead on arrival. For the first time, Abians are tasting the sweetness of democracy, not rhetoric, but reality. Anyone plotting to reverse this progress should submit himself to medical, if not moral, examination. Indeed, were Governor Alex Otti to contest today as an independent candidate, he would still be running against no one but himself. I recall predicting, with clinical precision, the outcome of the Anambra State gubernatorial election, noting that Governor Soludo campaigned not on promises but on visible performance. That election was, in effect, a referendum. The same logic applies in Abia today. Having tasted deliverance, Abians will not return to Egypt. They have moved on. One must therefore ask: On what platform, with what record, and by what moral authority do these former governors seek a “change” in the status quo, after plunging Abia into suffocating debt and institutional decay? Under Governor Alex Chioma Otti, Abia State has recorded unprecedented achievements, including: a. Massive road reconstruction across Aba, Umuahia, and major arterial routes b. Restoration of Aba as a functional industrial and commercial hub c. Prompt and consistent payment of workers’ salaries and pensions d. Transparent budgeting and strict fiscal discipline e. Revitalisation of healthcare facilities and public schools f. Improved security architecture and community-based policing g. Renewed investor confidence and private-sector participation h. Zero tolerance for fiscal recklessness and opaque governance The list is long, and it is visible for all Abians to see. We shall therefore continue to rise against, speak against, and condemn corruption, wherever it appears and whoever wears its mask. Those who once served Abia and failed it, together with their fellow travellers, must understand this clearly: the era of impunity is over. Progress has found a governor. Abia has found its feet. There shall be no retreat. #AbiaRising #AlexOttiWorks #CoalitionOfFailure #NoGoingBack #DemocracyInAction #EndCorruption #GoodGovernance #AbiaDecides #PerformanceOverPropaganda #BarEjioforWrites Signed Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC) 17 January 2026

You don’t need propaganda when you have performance — ask Akpabio. #PerformanceOverPropaganda

Being on the ground isn’t just symbolic—it’s how I stay connected to the real needs of our people. Yesterday, I walked from Dromilly through Bunkers Hill to Greenvale with Minister Dr. Horace Chang, reminding him firsthand of the challenges we still face and the urgent need to keep investing in our infrastructure. Post-COVID, face-to-face matters more than ever. It shows I’m not distant—I’m right here, walking and working with you. This #RoadToRecovery is personal, and I remain committed to getting the job done for Trelawny. #TrelawnyNorthern #ChooseJamaica #OnTheGround #PerformanceOverPropaganda

Being on the ground isn’t just about repping our colours—it’s about reconnecting with the reality our people face every day. Yesterday, I was joined by Dr. Horace Chang, Minister of National Security and Deputy Leader of Jamaica, as we walked from Dromilly through Bunkers Hill to Greenvale and back. Along the way, I reminded him of the challenges our communities still face and the importance of continued investment in our infrastructure. Face-to-face interaction—especially post-COVID—continues to be one of my favourite parts of this journey. It gives me the chance to reassure residents that I’m not far away. I’m right here, walking with you, working with you, because I know what Trelawny needs—and has needed for a long time. This #RoadToRecovery is personal. It’s about remembering the wins, acknowledging the work still to be done, and standing with the people—always. #ChooseJamaica #TrelawnyNorthern #PerformanceOverPropaganda #OnTheGround

St Ann South East Constituency Conference. Live: youtube.com/live/sbhHksSFZQw… #ChooseJamaica #PerformanceOverPropaganda #AntiBadMind

Get used to hearing #SchoolazOnly because the first set of Rural School Buses have arrived in Jamaica and are were offloaded from the vessels this morning. This project will not only directly tackle absenteeism, but will also provide a safe, efficient, affordable and reliable and dedicated transport option for students in ALL Rural parishes. A flat fare of $50 will apply regardless of the route travelled. Phase 1 will see the importation of 110 buses completed by mid July, with a commitment from this Government to expand the service ny purchasing another 200-300 buses within another 2 years to serve the remaining schools. #JUTC #DriveForChange #Trelawny #JamaicaJobs #SchoolBusRecruitment #TrelawnyJamaica #TrelawnyNorthern #RoadtoRecovery #ChooseJamaica #SchoolazOnly #CommitmentMade #CommitmentKept #PerformanceOverPropaganda

While the PNP is busy promising curry chicken back, the JLP is delivering rural school buses. This is what governance looks like. #PerformanceOverPropaganda #SchoolazOnly #CommitmentKept

#Update Get used to hearing #SchoolazOnly because the first set of Rural School Buses have arrived in Jamaica and are were offloaded from the vessels this morning. This project will not only directly tackle absenteeism, but will also provide a safe, efficient, affordable and reliable and dedicated transport option for students in ALL Rural parishes. A flat fare of $50 will apply regardless of the route travelled. Phase 1 will see the importation of 110 buses completed by mid July, with a commitment from this Government to expand the service ny purchasing another 200-300 buses within another 2 years to serve the remaining schools. #ChooseJamaica #SchoolazOnly #CommitmentMade #CommitmentKept #PerformanceOverPropaganda

#PerformanceOverPropaganda Kudos to the hardworking Local Govt Minister and his team. #ActionDoDat!

#PerformanceOverPropaganda @annmarievazja More Action for the people of Portland

While some chase headlines, Akpabio continues to serve the people with results that speak louder than gossip. #PerformanceOverPropaganda #ZELENA

A “corrupt” man wouldn’t deliver world-class projects like Ibom Air & top-notch road networks. Akpabio delivered! Atiku sold Nigeria's properties #zeudiners #zelena #PerformanceOverPropaganda #IstandwithAkpabio #ULTIMAHORA

These savings are for ONE MONTH! Let’s build on these gains and secure taxpayer dollars to improve the future for all Jamaicans. #PerformanceOverPropaganda

For Christmas 🎄 Our gift to the children of Portland is an investment in their future. Pleased that the buses have arrived and Mrs Vaz @annmarievazja will provide more details in the coming weeks. #PerformanceOverPropaganda 🎁 Thanks to our sponsors and partners who made this possible at no cost to the taxpayers. #ActionTeam

#PostConferencePressBriefing #ActiveAndStrong #PerformanceOverPropaganda We are LIVE: Link: facebook.com/share/v/17pUmWX…

A so unu did fi active long time. Don’t let him rest with his lies hypocrisy #PerformanceOverPropaganda

#PerformanceOverPropaganda Yesterday the Opposition Leader misled the public and the media with False Facts regarding the @WorldBank Doing Business report. In 2014 Jamaica was ranked 94th and trailed behind 10 other Latin America and Caribbean Countries. Jamaica did not have the “highest ranking in the Caribbean” in 2014 as Mark Golding posited.

Mr Hayles, was NOT the only person lying bare-faced to the Jamaican media and public yesterday. Today, the #StrongerTeam will outline facts and expose the despots within the Opposition. #PerformanceOverPropaganda

We don’t have to speak about Sloppy Joe’s skin colour. We have enough achievements of the Jamaica Labour Party to speak about! That’s what we need to focus on. #PerformanceOverPropaganda

#NewBusRoute The New JUTC Route 135: From Silver Sun connecting major destinations HWT, Cross Roads and Downtown Kingston. At 5am, passengers eagerly boarded and expressed gratitude for the new service. Despite some initial issues with card-only payments, the new route has been well received and that issue was resolved quickly with passengers showing kindness by offering to pay for others. The trip was a success, as JUTC left the Scheme, there were standing passengers with one passenger even suggesting we need another bus. #PerformanceOverPropaganda #JUTC #Active