It was nearly 9:30 PM in the quiet country home of Ohambele, Ndoki, when the familiar convoy rolled in. The timing was unusual for a gubernatorial visit, but the purpose was profoundly personal. His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, Governor of Abia State, was not there to commission a project or grant a political audience. He was there to honour a mentor, a senior brother, and a man he credits with shaping his professional foundation: Sir Marc Wabara, former Managing Director and CEO of Hallmark Bank, who was celebrating his 75th birthday.
The visit, described by the celebrant himself as an “unplanned small event,” was a powerful departure from the usual political script. It came at the end of a day already heavy with symbolism. Earlier, Governor Otti had turned the sod for the construction of the first-ever General Hospital in Ukwa East LGA—a landmark intervention in a long-neglected area—and had received thousands of opposition decampees into the Labour Party, all citing his transformative performance across the state. Yet, as the day wound down, the Governor chose to spend his evening not at a political rally, but in the home of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This single act encapsulates the essence of the Alex Otti philosophy: that governance, at its best, transcends the fierce divisions of partisan politics to embrace the unifying values of respect, mentorship, and shared humanity.
Standing before the family and well-wishers, Governor Otti’s tribute to Sir Marc Wabara was heartfelt and devoid of political calculation. He spoke of him not as an opposition figure, but as “the man who taught us banking.” He referred to him as a mentor, and with genuine warmth, addressed Sir Marc’s wife as “Aunty,” a term of endearment that spoke to decades of personal bond.
“We are happy that God has kept you in good health and in peace of mind,” Governor Otti said. “We are very happy that you are a good man, having helped the society. Sir Marc Wabara is one of those people that have done well, represented us well, and today is his birthday, we want to thank God for preserving his life.”
But the Governor’s words were not merely a toast; they were a promise. In a gesture that stunned the room into applause, Dr. Otti announced that the admiration for Sir Marc Wabara would not remain a private sentiment. He declared that the Abia State Government would officially host a state birthday celebration in honour of the elder statesman.
“There will be a celebration that would be hosted by the State,” the Governor declared. He assigned the responsibility to the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, with a directive to schedule it before or shortly after Easter in Umuahia. “The bill will be on the State,” he affirmed. “We celebrate great men, and we will celebrate him.”
It was a profound moment of non-partisan grace. Here was a Labour Party Governor, in the home of an APC chieftain, committing state resources to honour a man who, by every political metric, stands on the opposite side of the aisle.
For Sir Marc Wabara, the emotion of the moment was palpable. He looked around the room filled with government officials, including the Member representing Ukwa East and West in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, and the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Austin Okezie Nmeregini, and saw a confirmation of a relationship built on something far deeper than party affiliation.
“It only takes a very good and excellent relationship for a Governor of our State to still be out by this time,” Sir Marc said, gesturing to the late hour. “This is a confirmation that this is your home.”
Then, the APC stalwart offered a reflection that cut to the heart of Nigeria’s often-toxic political environment. He distinguished between “professional politicians” and “professionals in politics,” placing Governor Otti firmly in the latter, more honourable category.
“You tried it a few times, and today, you are an embodiment of good performance of good professionals in politics,” Sir Marc stated. He recalled his personal journey, noting that even after he joined the APC in 2017 and became its Senatorial candidate, he had always been convinced that “Abia needed somebody like you.”
In a striking endorsement that transcended party lines, the APC chieftain acknowledged the Governor’s performance since assuming office. “Thank you for what you have been doing since you became the Governor,” he said. “At a point in time, we were thinking and praying that you should have come back to APC. Be that as it may, the important thing in life apart from the political platform is good governance for the people of Abia State. And we thank God that God is using you mightily.”
It was the ultimate validation: a senior opposition figure looking past the party label to celebrate the substance of leadership.
As the night deepened in Ohambele, the scene was a masterclass in statesmanship. Governor Otti’s visit to Sir Marc Wabara was more than a birthday greeting; it was a declaration that in Abia, the era of bitter, unbridgeable political divides is giving way to a new culture of mutual respect and collective progress. It reinforced a governance style that honours elders, acknowledges contributions regardless of political colour, and understands that the development of a state requires the unity of all its finest minds.
In a single evening, Dr. Alex Otti demonstrated that leadership is not about commanding loyalty, but about showing respect; not about winning arguments, but about honouring relationships. By choosing to celebrate a mentor from the opposition, he reminded everyone that while political parties are mere platforms for seeking office, governing successfully requires reaching across the aisle to build a state where every great son and daughter is celebrated, and where good governance is the only party that truly matters.