“You Are The Real Heroes Of Democracy”, Gov Otti Eulogizes Abians On One Year In Office

By Suleiman Anyalewechi.

The Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has lauded the courage, resilience and  doggedness of the citizens and residents of the State for playing a pivotal role in the march towards changing the hitherto ugly narratives of the State.

According to him, but for the commitments and huge sacrifices made by  the state electorate during the 2023 General Elections, Abia State would have continued its wayward journey in the wilderness 32 years after  creation.

The modest transformation so far recorded ,Governor Otti, insisted are the fallouts  from the heroic efforts of the State’s electorate who ,strongly displayed their belief in the potency of the ballot in engineering social and economic transformation.

“I want to thank you, the good people of Abia state, for your unyielding faith in democracy, for believing that the power of the ballot is the strongest force for social and economic transformation of a society.

“You are the real heroes of the new Abia and deserve the admiration of the world for  what we have collectively achieved.

“You refused to give in to despair and the cynicism that would normally follow a long period of disappointment.

“It has been 12 long months, and today presents us two unique opportunities ; one ,to pat ourselves on the back for moving away from the old system that pauperized the majority to a new order that places the interests and welfare of the people at the centre of decision making.

“This day also presents us the opportunity to take stock, evaluate what has been achieved, identify where mistakes have been made because ultimately there are  no human endeavours without errors, and then plan for another twelve months.”

Governor Otti assured of a better future ahead as his administration has garnered enough experience from the mistakes of the last one year.

“The beauty of democracy, beyond the demands of periodic elections, is the opportunity it affords leaders to regularly interface with the people and feel their pulse.

“In the last one week we have toured all the three Senatorial Districts. of the state to talk to, and learn from our people at the grassroots.

“The  interests and enthusiasm shown by Abians across the zones point to the evolution and expansion of the democratic space in our dear State.

“It is heartwarming to know that our people have become passionate about democracy,using every available opportunity to make their views and sentiments on the important issues of the day known.

“The last 12 months have presented a special learning opportunity for us because leadership is essentially about learning.Ours so far has been the story of the man in the area as Theodore Roosevelt captured it.

“We do not seek perfection,but to make things better for the ordinary Abian who first believe in the beauty and prospects of democracy .

“We strive valiantly but again and again, we come short,not because we so desire but because it is the nature of human endeavours .

“Our modest success in the last one year has come from waking up with new enthusiasm each morning,believing that we shall achieve better outcomes in the new day having learnt from the mistakes of yesterday”