A few weeks ago, I witnessed a seemingly cordial moment between two South-East governors, Peter Mbah of Enugu and Alex Otti of Abia as they met at Umuehim Nvosi. On the surface, it was a welcome display of regional solidarity. But beneath the photo ops and handshakes, Mbah’s visit quietly spotlighted deeper issues: leadership styles, governance philosophies, and the stark contrast in development trajectories between both states.
While the official narrative framed the meeting around regional security collaboration, political undertones were unmistakable. Both governors are reportedly at crossroads with their political parties. Peter Mbah, whose performance has eclipsed criticisms from Enugu opposition circles, is said to be on the radar of the presidency, allegedly courting him to join the APC.
The APC leadership, however, remains wary of Governor Otti’s political history. From APGA to his stint in APC and now the Labour Party, Otti has consistently struggled with party cohesion and internal stability, traits that appear to mirror his administrative style.
As the two men exchanged pleasantries, one couldn’t help but imagine what was going through Mbah’s mind while being driven through the villages from Ntigha Junction to Umuehim. Would he ever consider hosting fellow governors in his own village of Owo for an official function? Highly unlikely. By his second month in office, Mbah had already moved into the official Enugu State Government House signaling structure, stability, and readiness for governance.
Governor Otti, on the other hand, continues to operate from his private residence, now branded a “makeshift Government House,” two years into his tenure. For a state eager to attract serious investments, that image alone sends worrying signals. Investors respond to structure and seriousness of purpose, something that may explain why, in two years, Abia has been heavy on signing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) but light on tangible results: no new factories, no revived industries, no major employers since 2023.
In contrast, Enugu under Mbah has launched over seven functional factories, including an electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant, clear outcomes of strategic planning and execution. Both governors boast strong private-sector experience, but their governance approaches couldn’t be more different. Mbah’s self-described model of “disruptive positive change” may be bold and at times uncomfortable, but it’s delivering. Enugu’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has risen from N3.5 billion to N27 billion monthly, backed by clear policy direction.
Meanwhile, Abia despite outsourcing its revenue collection to Access Bank continues to post unimpressive figures, averaging N1.8 billion monthly (excluding revenue from tertiary institutions and healthcare centres).
During the visit, one can imagine Mbah sharing how he resisted the temptation to sack civil servants hastily recruited by his predecessor. Instead, he opted for continuity retaining even some permanent secretaries from the past administration. To him, governance is a continuum, not a personal empire.
He may also have justified Enugu’s N90 billion domestic debt acquired within one year by showcasing the outcomes: Enugu Air (which reportedly gulped $50 million/N75 billion), a 300-bed international hospital, 263 smart schools, Smart Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres, agricultural settlements across the three senatorial zones, over 400km of new roads, a modern international conference centre, 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) powered buses, and the revival of moribund state-owned enterprises like Niger Gas Company, Emene.
By contrast, Governor Otti would have struggled to match such figures with equivalent results, even after reportedly repaying N78 billion in debt. Pensioners in Abia remain unpaid, and gratuities dating as far back as 2003 are still outstanding. Meanwhile, Enugu has commenced clearing its gratuity backlog from 2010.
Mbah could also have pointed to the revival of Enugu’s once defunct assets, like Nike Lake Hotel, Sunrise Flour Mill, and the Niger Gas Company, all now repositioned to create jobs and boost state revenue. In Abia, iconic institutions like the Aba Glass Industry, Umuahia Ceramics, and Enyimba Hotel remain untouched despite multiple MOUs and repeated promises.
On security, Mbah may have detailed his N130 billion investment in a tech-driven Command and Control Centre, AI-powered surveillance, 120 patrol vehicles, and extensive CCTV infrastructure, all of which have significantly reduced cross-border crime. Otti, in contrast, may have mentioned the donation of 20 Hilux vans while attributing persistent insecurity in Umunneochi and Okigwe to opposition sabotage.
When it comes to local government administration, Enugu leads again. The state has empowered its LGAs with autonomy, funding, and responsibility, resulting in dozens of independent initiatives including the construction of 10km roads in each LGA. In Abia, local government autonomy remains more rhetorical than real; council chairmen must reportedly seek clearance from Umuahia to buy diesel or fix a generator, even after receiving over N337 billion in allocations in 2024 alone, with little to show.
Even in media spending, the contrasts are glaring. According to the Q2 2023 SFTAS report, Enugu spent N31 million on publicity; Abia, a staggering N543 million. The difference lies not just in figures, but in governance priorities.
This visit should not be dismissed as a routine courtesy call. It was a mirror moment. And as our people say, “You don’t need a mirror to see what’s tied on your wrist.” For Governor Otti and his administration, this was a masterclass albeit unintended, on what transformative leadership truly looks like.
©️Nwokeukwu Mascot Nnamdi
