Dr. Alex Otti’s 50-bumpy days in office have been described as a soap opera that was characterized by sweet-bitter memories, writes iwitnesslive.com’s David Kabiyesi
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The idea of assessing the first 100 Days in office was first embraced under the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, FDR, of the United States of America. Roosevelt’s first 100 Days began on March 4, 1933. And in those eventful 100 Days, lots of praise and criticism greeted his reign. But in the end, the three months have become the yardstick for measuring performance in public office globally to date, and the same applies to governors and other public office holders. It gives a clear picture of overall performance as well as the required check and balances needed to run for public office.
Yes, Governor Alex Otti’s journey so far may have been rough and bumpy after his early days in office were slowed down and tainted by election rigging claims. His election as the winner of the March 18 gubernatorial polls may have been challenged in court by Okey Ahiwe of the People’s Democratic Party and Young People’s Party’s Enyinnaya Nwofor.
It can also be said that 50 days is a bit too short to assess this new man on the block, but this stone-faced Governor has been able to ring some changes that make Abians believe that his coming on board is a breath of fresh air after PDP’s 24 years rule.
While many may argue that it is a bit too early to assess the governor’s performance since he took over the mantle of power on May 29, the problem facing Abia State ranging from insecurity to economic depression is so daunting that it will be wrong not to beam searchlight into Otti’s rule in the last 50 days.
The Good
His first 30 days saw the governor scrapping the task force saddled with the collection of vehicle levies in the state and replacing it with Abia State digital tax system for trade and transporters with insurance components. The scheme, according to Otti, is to curb fraud and leakages that characterized revenue collections in the state.
Governor then went on to bypass extant laws that established statutory boards in the state and dissolved them with executive fiats. He then set up a judicial inquiry to dig into some of the state’s assets stolen by past governors of the state. The above decisions did not go down well with the opposition especially the PDP which believe his decisions smack of antagonism, vendetta, and a campaign of calumny at a time the state is yearning for reconciliation.
In the area of salaries, Governor Otti has been lauded by the state’s civil servants for getting their monthly salaries on the due date. Also, the governor set up a closed-door meeting with the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries to discuss backlogs of unpaid pensions in the state oard to submit fresh applications if they want to continue working under the state.
In the education sector, the governor was accused of running the state like an emperor by imposing his right-hand man on Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB). The unceremonial removal of Professor Hagler Okorie as Rector of Abia State Polytechnic in Aba, only to replace him with his deputy, Mrs Chidinma Martha Ndukwe was also sent tongues wagging in the state.
Conclusion
As Governor Otti continues to paddle his canoe in Abia’s turbulent waters, many hope that his haphazard decisions will be pondered upon before they’re executed so as not to rock the boat in his first tenure in office.
