Abia State, under the leadership of Governor Alex C. Otti, has taken a largely understated but far-reaching step that signals a shift from political theatrics to deliberate governance. Without fanfare, the administration has chosen to invest in the future by prioritising the welfare of its elderly population — a decision that speaks volumes about values, planning, dignity and continuity.
Any government that commits to caring for citizens beyond the age of 60 is making a bold declaration. Such policies are not designed for applause or headlines; they are rooted in long-term intent. You do not guarantee healthcare and income support for seniors unless you are prepared to govern with discipline, accuracy and fiscal responsibility. This kind of commitment cannot be improvised or faked. It immediately exposes unserious leadership.
The idea itself is not the concern. Sustainability is. Nigeria’s history is littered with lofty visions abandoned midway due to poor maintenance culture and lack of continuity. For decades, citizens endured leadership that prioritised promises over structures. In that context, skepticism is understandable.
However, credit must be given where it is due. Governor Otti assumed office amid significant pension arrears, addressed them, and then went further to plan ahead. That sequence matters. Clearing inherited liabilities before introducing forward-looking policies is not common behaviour in Nigerian politics, and it deserves recognition.
This development also reinforces a broader argument about the South East’s path forward. Progress will not come from slogans, outrage or empty rhetoric, but from practical templates of governance that can be replicated. Abia is demonstrating what becomes possible when votes count and leaders feel genuinely accountable to the people.
What has been delivered is not magic. It is a combination of courage and competence. It shows that systems can work in Igbo land when citizens insist on them. The implication goes beyond Abia State; it applies to every state in the region.
At the same time, there is a need to reassess priorities. Political obsession with secessionist rhetoric offers little in terms of practical solutions. No region breaks away through online fervour or wishful thinking. Nigeria will either reform itself or buckle under its contradictions, but that outcome will not be driven by one ethnic bloc acting alone. Any narrative suggesting otherwise is built on unrealistic economics.
The more strategic path is regional excellence. Build states that function. Enforce accountability. Set governance standards so high that engagement becomes inevitable. Power is not obtained by pleading; it is engineered through structure, consistency and results.
Unify. Build. Prepare.
When that foundation is solid, participation at any national table changes. You no longer argue for relevance — you command it.
Written by Chioma Amaryllis Ahaghotu