UMUAHIA — Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has lauded Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for delivering transformative leadership through purposeful governance and a high-performing team. The commendation came Friday as Obasanjo inaugurated the newly reconstructed 46.3-kilometer Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Abiriba Road — a critical economic lifeline connecting four local government areas in Abia State.
In remarks that struck at the heart of Nigeria’s leadership challenges, the former president emphasized that the country is not short of capable individuals, but rather suffers from leaders unable to identify and deploy the right talent.
“We don’t have a deficiency of good teams in Nigeria,” Obasanjo said. “What we lack are leaders with the vision and courage to assemble and harness their potential.”
Highlighting Otti’s impressive cabinet — including praise for the Commissioner for Works and Health — Obasanjo described the governor as “a rare leader” who has delivered tangible results in a short span.
“Governor Otti is a man of his word, a performer, and a goal-getter,” he declared. “Abia has had governors before, but good leaders are rare. When you find one like Otti, hold on to him.”
Obasanjo recounted his past harrowing travel experiences on the road to Abiriba and described the current reconstruction as “miraculous,” dramatically cutting travel time and ending years of commuter hardship.
He urged Abians to resist political distractions and support Otti for a second term, saying:
“Don’t change a winning team.”
In his address, Governor Otti said the project was conceived to address decades of infrastructural decay and rural isolation, which had led to youth migration and insecurity. He noted that the two contractors handling the project have been fully paid and hinted that the third phase—stretching from Abiriba to Ohafia—would soon be completed.
“This road is not just a road,” Otti said. “It is a declaration of intent that Abia is open for business, secure, and committed to inclusive development.”
He disclosed that since taking office, his administration has not borrowed a dime, instead focusing on fiscal discipline and debt reduction.
“We are executing all our projects without taking loans. In fact, we’re paying off debts left by previous administrations.”
The road, now completed, has also enhanced the state’s agricultural value chain, provided safer transportation, and revitalized local commerce. The governor vowed that no farmer in Abia would again suffer losses due to bad infrastructure.
Several dignitaries, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Rep. Obi Aguocha, and elder statesman Senator Chris Adighije, echoed Obasanjo’s sentiments. They praised the governor’s pragmatism and political will in addressing long-standing issues ignored by previous governments.
“When you see good leadership, you don’t ask about party,” said Adighije, a prominent APC chieftain. “I supported Otti and will continue to do so — performance is what matters.”
From neglected rural communities to the halls of government, voices from across party lines hailed Governor Otti’s efforts to rewrite Abia’s story — one kilometer at a time.
