When Nollywood actress Doris Ogala recently described His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, as the best governor Abia State has ever produced, the remark resonated far beyond celebrity commentary.
What makes her statement particularly significant is context. Doris Ogala was once a fierce critic of Governor Otti and openly aligned with Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in opposition to his administration. Her recent praise, therefore, is not casual flattery; it is a candid reversal shaped by firsthand experience.
Following a personal visit to Abia State, where she witnessed ongoing infrastructural renewal, fiscal discipline, and people-focused governance, her position changed decisively. Faced with visible progress and measurable impact, denial became impossible. Her shift stands as a powerful testament to leadership that delivers results rather than rhetoric. In 2026, even some of the loudest former critics are being compelled by facts on the ground to acknowledge performance.
That said, it is important to be clear: Abians did not need Doris Ogala’s endorsement to recognise excellence. Governor Otti’s achievements neither began with her commendation nor depend on it. His record speaks consistently and convincingly on its own.
It is this unmistakable performance that has elevated his reputation beyond Abia State. When citizens of other states openly and unsolicitedly campaign for a governor who is not theirs, the conversation moves beyond partisan politics into the realm of public testimony. Today, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti is among the very few Nigerian governors whose leadership has earned such nationwide admiration that people elsewhere openly wish he governed their states. Such consensus cannot be staged; it is earned through service.
To many Nigerians, Governor Otti is not only the best governor Abia State has produced, but one of the best-performing governors in Nigeria today.
This clarification is intentional. It serves as a reminder that in politics, even public figures can be influenced to promote narratives that do not reflect reality. Citizens must therefore exercise wisdom and discernment, resisting the urge to accept every narrative simply because it comes from a celebrity platform.
Ultimately, the most credible assessment of governance comes not from headlines or endorsements, but from ordinary citizens — those who experience leadership daily. In Abia State, the truest account is best told by Abians themselves, whose lives reflect the tangible outcomes of purposeful and accountable governance.
Oluchi Oparah
Former National Treasurer
Labour Party
19/01/26