Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that Nigeria has no justification for widespread poverty, given the nation’s abundant natural and human resources. Speaking at a dinner organized in his honor by the Abia State Government on Friday at the Government House in Umuahia, Obasanjo emphasized that poor governance—not a lack of resources—is to blame for the country’s economic challenges.
“Nigerians have no business being poor,” the former president said. “God has blessed this country richly. If we mismanage what He has given us, we cannot blame God—we must blame ourselves.”
Obasanjo praised Governor Alex Otti for his transformative leadership in Abia, applauding the positive feedback the administration has received. He noted that with more governors like Otti, Nigeria’s development would accelerate significantly.
“If we had at least 18 governors performing at a high level, we would be well on our way to building a prosperous nation,” he said.
Obasanjo also reflected on the importance of good governance over personal sentiments. “Whether you greet me or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that the people of this country receive the good governance they deserve.”
Recalling his advisory role in past administrations, he referenced a conversation with former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi. “I reminded you of our national railway master plan which aimed to connect all state capitals,” he said. “You got part of it right and part of it wrong—but leadership is about learning.”
Governor Otti, in his remarks, credited perseverance and vision for his administration’s success. He recalled his ten-year political journey, noting that his victories in the 2015 and 2019 elections were stolen, but his commitment remained unshaken.
“I was sure I heard clearly from God,” Otti said. “Today, we’re implementing wide-ranging reforms, especially in education, to give our people access to quality learning.”
Amaechi, also present, urged Abia’s political class to begin preparing for the 2027 general elections, warning against complacency. He praised Obasanjo’s consistent leadership, describing him as a standout figure regardless of who occupies the presidency.
“You’ve always remained a benchmark for visionary leadership,” Amaechi remarked.
Lawmakers including Chief Ginger Onwusibe and Senator Darlington Nwokocha also expressed appreciation for Obasanjo’s enduring support for the Otti administration. They lauded the equitable development efforts being witnessed across all local government areas in the state.
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