By Charles Ogugbuaja, Ph.D.
Unarguably, some intellectual thoughts, opinions and postulations, better known in acronym, TOPs, published by some great men of the past centuries are today, guiding some of our political and institutional leaders in their day-to-day policy formulation and execution.
Some of these TOPs are even thought at various levels of educational institutions, and also etched in the marble to succeed endless generations.
That is why in Nigeria, today, we have a governor occupying the lips of many Nigerians, as a symbol of an achiever who came to rule, prepared. He is the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR.
Casting our minds back in January 2025 or thereabout, President Bola Tinubu, during his historic one -day state visit to Enugu State, essentially, to inaugurate some projects in that state. He was proud of Gov Otti, that the president stressed that the Abia Governor’s stance and commitment to delivering dividends of democracy at every nook and cranny of the 17 local government areas of Abia State, exemplified a governor truly committed to work, not minding that he was not a member of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), rather, Otti, proudly had his membership political roots in the Labour Party (LP). Which subsists till today, as the national leader of the political institution.
To be fair, another notable governor, still providing good governance and leadership in Nigeria, is the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, before you mention others.
In my previous submissions, I made my points very clear that commendations to any Nigerian governor who is democratically buying what the governed asked him to buy in the market should be supported.
In Walking the talk, the truth requires effrontery, brevity, clarity, prowess and organic fecundity.
Please mark my word, supporting Gov Otti by expression, requires identifying with his intentional policies and programmes. It does
not translate giving any kind of plague award with flamboyant events. No, that is not in my agenda. Good that such is not in the mindset of Gov. Otti. He has not accepted such in his capacity as a governor. He has severally rejected such offers, advising that such should come after leaving office (sure, by 2031). From all indications, it is unambiguously signifying that he is not interested in either frolic praise singing or influenced by such inducements. Providing democratic dividends to the good people of Abia State, is simply doing what he was elected to do. In his application to the good people of Abia State, to govern them as their servant leader, he had promised to govern constitutionally and judiciously with available resources. His actions are not far away from what the following philosophical heroes postulated.
One of such great philosophers, Plato, in one of his famous quotes, said: “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”
He also opined: “Bad governments are elected by “good” citizens who don’t vote.”
Another great philosopher, Socrates, speaking on what any wise one should do, stressed: “The Wise who refused to rule should prepare to suffer the rules of idiots.”
A renowned world author, who wrote “The Animal Farm, George Orwell, also added his voice on the role of the electorate in elections,
“People who elect corrupt politicians, impostors, thieves and traitors are not victims.. . But accomplices.”
A great preacher of the gospel, Rev. Raphael Warnock, spoke on the importance of participation in the elections, “A vote is a kind of prayer about the kind of world you want to live in.”
For Keith Ellison, “Not voting is not a protest. It is a surrender.”
Another great mind, George Carlin, cautions on not casting votes during elections, “If you don’t vote, you lose the right to complain.”
A famous motivational speaker, Martin Luther, admonished, “Vote like your rights depend on it as your vote is your voice.”
Former American president, John F. Kennedy, also advised: “The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.”
Another revered former president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, courageously opined: “The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” He had suffered defeats, but at last, triumphed.
Malcom, who influenced lives, advised against being silent on electoral issues, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
In his work, “The Prince”, Nicolo Machiavellian, posited: “The end justifies the means.” For him, when political strategists act, they do their minds to achieve their targets, the Machiavellian politicians are ready to have their way.
It is therefore, desirable to caution against violence in electoral matters as we remember Thomas Hobbes, when he posited what one sees in life, “Life is crude, nasty, brutish, and short-lived.”
In all of the above, the political philosophy adopted by Gov Otti, is reflective of participatory, inclusive and people oriented governance. Every Abian owes the duty to support him firmly as the 2027 electoral journey sets in.
No excuses, please, for abstaining from the process. Remember, Gov Otti, represents, preaches, walks the talk of the NEW ABIA, via the implementation of the numerous people oriented and centred projects.
