By Mary Onyia
Human rights lawyer and public affairs analyst, Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, has described the administration of Alex Chioma Otti as a remarkable example of how purposeful leadership can restore hope, dignity and public confidence in government. Speaking at an event marking Governor Otti’s third anniversary in office, Odinkalu said the transformation witnessed across Abia State goes beyond roads and infrastructure to the restoration of the people’s faith in governance.
Drawing from his personal connection to the state, Odinkalu recalled his formative years in Aba and his education at what is now Abia State University, noting that Abia played a significant role in shaping his life. He said the state had endured decades of decline under previous administrations, making the current period of renewal particularly significant for residents who had suffered years of neglect and failed leadership.
The former chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission argued that the achievements of the Otti administration should not be measured solely by the quantity of projects delivered. While acknowledging extensive road construction, urban renewal efforts, salary and pension payments, and investments in power infrastructure, he stressed that the administration’s greatest accomplishment lies in rebuilding public confidence and creating a vision for a better future.
According to him, the foundations being laid in Abia represent a model of governance rooted in dignity and accountability. He maintained that the governor had demonstrated that political leadership can serve the public good, challenging the widespread belief that governance in Nigeria must inevitably be driven by personal enrichment and patronage.
Odinkalu was particularly critical of the state’s previous administrations, describing the first 24 years of democratic rule in Abia as a period of “desgobierno,” a Spanish term meaning “un-government.” He said the era was characterized by institutional collapse, impunity, and the systematic pillaging of public resources, resulting in widespread despair and a breakdown of public trust.
“Government exists to enhance the dignity of its people, not to diminish it,” Odinkalu declared, arguing that the restoration of human dignity is a constitutional obligation and the most important measure of governmental performance.
Highlighting ongoing reforms, he pointed to the administration’s investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education and security as evidence of a coherent development strategy. He noted that hundreds of roads have been completed or are under construction, while significant resources have been committed to education and healthcare. He also praised initiatives aimed at improving social inclusion, including support for persons with disabilities and expanded healthcare access across rural communities.
Looking beyond current achievements, Odinkalu urged the state to focus on building a knowledge-driven economy, strengthening professional services, attracting diaspora investments, and establishing itself as a regional hub for commerce and dispute resolution. He argued that Abia possesses the human capital, educational institutions and strategic location required to become one of Nigeria’s leading centres of innovation and enterprise.
“For Abia State, there are two options: whether to make this experience both sustainable and indefinite into the future or to record it as a minor interregnum in a continuum of habitual un-government. The choice is clear,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Odinkalu called on the people of Abia to safeguard the gains recorded under the current administration and ensure that future leadership builds on the foundations already established. He maintained that sustainable development would depend not only on Governor Otti’s performance but also on the willingness of citizens to defend accountable governance and reject a return to the failures of the past.