By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Human rights lawyer and public affairs commentator Chidi Odinkalu has commended the administration of Alex Otti for what he described as a transformative three years in office, while warning Abia residents against allowing a return to what he termed “ungovernment” in the state.
Odinkalu made the remarks on his X handle Friday, after joining Governor Otti and the people of Abia State in Umuahia to review the administration’s achievements since assuming office in 2023.
Reflecting on the political transition that ushered in new administrations across Nigeria three years ago, Odinkalu argued that many governments inaugurated in different parts of the country lacked credible mandates, adding that their records had reflected that reality.
He, however, said the situation in Abia was different, describing the Otti administration as one installed through a genuine popular mandate without the influence of political godfathers.
According to him, the results of the administration’s performance were now evident across the state.
Odinkalu praised the government’s infrastructure drive, noting that more than 1,074 kilometres of roads had been delivered within three years.
He described the feat as equivalent to the distance from Aba to Kano, with additional coverage comparable to the stretch from Owerri to Okigwe.
Despite applauding the infrastructure projects, the rights advocate insisted that restoring dignity to governance remained the administration’s most important achievement.
“My point was simple: projects matter, but dignity is everything, and enhancing it is the constitutional metric for proper governance in Nigeria,” he stated.
Odinkalu criticised previous administrations in the state, accusing former governors of presiding over years of decline and poor governance.
He described the past 24 years in Abia as an era of “low-budget banditry” and “ungovernment,” alleging that the state suffered under administrations driven more by political patronage than public service.
Drawing comparisons with the nation’s capital, Abuja, Odinkalu questioned the quality of governance in the Federal Capital Territory despite ongoing claims of infrastructural development.
According to him, residents of highbrow districts such as Asokoro and Maitama still face shortages of water, electricity, and functional sewage systems, while schools remain shut for long periods.
In contrast, he said the Abia State Government was prioritising social development through increased investments in education and healthcare.
He disclosed that the state currently allocates about 20 percent of its budget to education and 15 percent to health, while pension arrears and public debts had reportedly been reduced by two-thirds.
Odinkalu also commended the establishment of a Disabilities Commission headed by disability rights advocate David Anyaele, saying it demonstrated the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance for persons with disabilities.
While acknowledging that much had been achieved, he stressed that more work still needed to be done to consolidate the gains recorded by the current administration.
He warned that the progress made under Governor Otti could be reversed if Abia voters failed to defend what he described as a “refreshing promise” of responsible governance ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The state will only be truly free when the people decide that bad governance is banished for good,” Odinkalu said, describing the 2027 elections as “existential” for the people of Abia.
According to him, the foundations laid by the current administration must be protected to ensure that hope, dignity, and inclusive governance continue to thrive in the state.
