By Abu Hassan
Umuahia, Abia State – Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that Nigeria’s vast resources should preclude poverty, attributing the nation’s economic woes to mismanagement. He made the remarks at a dinner hosted in his honor by the Abia State Government on Friday.
“Nigerians have no business with poverty because God has given us all that we need,” Obasanjo asserted. “If we are mismanaging what God has given us, we do not have God to blame, we have ourselves to blame.”
The former president lauded Governor Alex Otti’s efforts in transforming Abia State, acknowledging the widespread public approval of his administration’s performance. He urged Otti to continue his impactful governance, suggesting that if Nigeria had 18 governors performing at the same level, the country would significantly improve.
“For me, whether you don’t greet me or I greet you and you don’t answer, what is important to me is that the people of this country are getting what they deserve and what they deserve is good governance,” Obasanjo emphasized, highlighting his commitment to improved governance and the well-being of Nigerians.
Obasanjo also referenced a past conversation with former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, revealing that Amaechi was initially unaware of a pre-existing national railway development plan. He advised Amaechi to consult the archives, demonstrating his willingness to offer guidance even to those with differing opinions.
In response, Governor Otti expressed gratitude for Obasanjo’s support and underscored the importance of vision and perseverance in leadership. He recounted his decade-long political journey and the challenges he faced in securing his position.
“Once you have vision, you have to keep to it. It took us ten years to get here, the two elections we contested from 2015 to 2019, we won clearly but they were all stolen,” Otti stated, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to his goals. He also highlighted his administration’s focus on reforming the education sector to improve access to quality education in Abia.
Adding to the discussion, Rotimi Amaechi urged political actors in Abia to begin preparations for the 2027 general elections, stressing the value of competent governance. He noted that Obasanjo has consistently stood out as a visionary leader and encouraged support for capable leaders like Otti to ensure continued progress.
“APC and other parties are already mobilizing, if we don’t prepare now, we may lose out completely,” Amaechi warned, emphasizing the need for strategic planning to maintain positive momentum.
Lawmakers and Labour Party representatives also expressed their appreciation for Obasanjo’s support and commended Governor Otti for his equitable development initiatives across Abia’s local government areas.
