Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Nigerians should not be living in poverty, given the country’s rich natural and human resources. Speaking at a dinner hosted in his honour by the Abia State Government on Friday in Umuahia, Obasanjo blamed poor leadership and mismanagement—not lack of resources—for Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Nigerians have no business with poverty because God has given us all that we need,” he said. If we are mismanaging what God has given us, we have ourselves to blame.”
Obasanjo praised Abia State Governor Alex Otti for his performance, describing his leadership as transformative. He added that if Nigeria had at least 18 governors like Otti, the country would see real progress.
What matters to me is that Nigerians get the good governance they deserve,” he added.
The former president also recalled his time in office, mentioning how he once urged ex-Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi to consult old railway plans. He noted that while Amaechi later implemented parts of it, the outcomes were mixed.
In his remarks, Governor Otti thanked Obasanjo for his encouragement and spoke about his decade-long journey in politics, including setbacks in 2015 and 2019. He credited his 2023 victory to determination and faith, and highlighted ongoing reforms in the state’s education sector.
Amaechi, also present at the event, emphasized the importance of preparing early for the 2027 elections. He said good leadership is often appreciated only after experiencing poor governance. He praised Obasanjo’s lasting influence and urged Abians to continue backing Governor Otti.
Other dignitaries at the event, including Rep. Ginger Onwusibe and Senator Darlington Nwokocha, also commended Obasanjo’s support and applauded Otti’s inclusive development across all local governments.