1. Governor Alex C. Otti is in full control of the levers of the state politics, underestimate or attempt to outsmart him at your peril, the naysayers learnt that the hard way with the order of proceedings yesterday in Umuahia

2. Opposition remains critical to the development of democracy in Abia State; but Abians will rather do without opposition than look to PDP to propose alternative policy options or directions for the state. After 24 years of missed opportunities and frustrations, the people have decided to look beyond the PDP to offer alternatives to whatever the Labour Party draws.
3. Democracy is more about engagements and lobbying than hard posturing and exchange of tantrums. Yes. Although noise and hard line positions have their values, in the long run, a whole lot more would be achieved by constructive engagements driven by clearly defined values and interests that are connected to the welfare of the people, than by screaming or making threats.
4. Money has its value in politics but clear strategies would always be superior to crass money-for-hand, back-for-ground approach. People want to be engaged and not bought. Ask any insider who followed or participated in the intrigues that played out in the battle for house leadership position over the last few days.
5. Self seeking social media errand boys in the state, especially the ones working for PDP and its affiliates would perpetually be wrong. Yesterday proved that scaremongering, rumour mongering and idle speculations have become old tactics in media engagements. The PDP and the boys who work for them, even those not directly in the PDP, must retool and relearn.

Its a new era for Ndi Abia.
📸 Frank Ugochukwu