Otti: Nigerians Must Reject Mediocrity, Demand Accountability From Leaders

Oru Leonard 

Abia State Governor, Alex C. Otti, has called on Nigerians to reject mediocrity, demand accountability from public officials and take greater responsibility for building a prosperous and functional society.

Otti made the call on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, while delivering a keynote address at the 60th birthday celebration of Apostle Bolaji Oluwayanmife Akinyemi, where he spoke on “Life at 60: Senior Citizens, Government’s Role and the Citizens’ Pact.”

The governor said the destiny of any nation was shaped by the philosophy, values and moral disposition of its citizens, stressing that national development could not be achieved merely by wishing for it.

According to him, ordinary citizens must continuously engage government, ask questions, demand accountability and insist on better standards of living for themselves and future generations.

He, however, noted that people occupying positions of influence had an even greater responsibility to protect the dignity and welfare of citizens.
“Privileges are therefore not trophies to be displayed for applause but a call to be attentive to the burdens of society — an obligation to challenge events that take away from the dignity of fellow citizens,” Otti said.

The governor congratulated Akinyemi on attaining the age of 60, describing him as a man whose life had been defined by courage, honesty, stewardship and service to humanity.

He said the celebrant’s decision to dedicate his milestone birthday to conversations about national renewal, citizenship and leadership demonstrated his commitment to the country and generations yet unborn.

Otti used the opportunity to highlight what he described as the emerging transformation in Abia State, saying the administration had made progress in road infrastructure, security, payment of workers’ entitlements and the revitalisation of public services.

He said the credit for the changes should largely go to the people of Abia, whose resilience and determination helped drive the movement that culminated in his emergence as governor in 2023.

The governor said the administration was not claiming to have achieved perfection but had succeeded in restoring the “can-do spirit” of Abians and rekindling abandoned dreams.
He identified active citizenship, resilience and prudent management of resources as key lessons from Abia’s political experience.

According to him, citizens must be sufficiently informed to question government policies, scrutinise public expenditure and demand results, while avoiding destructive cynicism.

Otti also warned that efforts to change entrenched systems would inevitably face resistance from beneficiaries of the status quo.

He said his political movement succeeded because it was driven by a genuine desire to serve, was people-oriented and refused to be intimidated.
Otti: Seniors Played Key Role in Abia’s Political Change

Turning to the welfare of senior citizens, Otti acknowledged the significant role played by elderly people in the struggle for what he described as a “new Abia.”

He said senior citizens were among the earliest supporters of the movement that brought his administration to power, having rejected what they considered the failures of the previous system.

According to him, many elderly citizens had suffered the consequences of poor governance, including unpaid pensions and diminished economic opportunities for their children and grandchildren.

Otti said his administration was committed to building a State where productive sectors would create jobs for young people, provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and attract investors.

He disclosed that education, healthcare and road infrastructure accounted for more than 51 per cent of Abia’s budgetary allocation for the current fiscal year.

The governor said the investments were designed to equip citizens with skills for the emerging economy while providing the infrastructure needed to support investment and economic growth.

On the welfare of senior citizens, Otti said his administration had established a legal framework to guarantee their protection, healthcare and social inclusion.

He cited the Abia State Senior Citizens Centre Law No. 4 of 2025, which, he said, provides a comprehensive framework for the care and protection of residents aged 60 and above.

According to him, the law is aligned with the National Senior Citizens Centre Act of 2017 and provides for access to healthcare and inclusion of senior citizens in government welfare programmes, including cash grants and food assistance during emergencies.

He said the programme was being supervised by the State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, with a database of vulnerable senior citizens regularly updated.

Otti also disclosed that the government had launched a media campaign against abuse of elderly people, stressing that respect and care for senior citizens should be regarded as a societal obligation rather than charity.
“Being sensitive to the needs of senior citizens is not an act of charity, it is an obligation the society owes the elders for their immense contributions to the community in their active years,” he said.

The governor further urged society to tap into the knowledge and experience of older people, encouraging senior citizens to remain intellectually and socially active by writing books, creating podcasts and establishing platforms through which they could share their experiences.

He warned that society could lose the benefits of elderly wisdom when senior citizens were disrespected or forced to continue bearing the financial burden of supporting their adult children.

Otti said one of the best ways of appreciating senior citizens was to create economic opportunities for their children and grandchildren so that the elderly could enjoy their retirement without being burdened by family dependency.

The governor also congratulated Akinyemi on the publication of his new book, Global Leadership Code: Donald J. Trump As A Case Study, urging Nigerians to read and engage with the ideas contained in the book.

He said intellectualism required the ability to disagree with opposing views without dismissing those who hold them.
Otti ended his address with a call for collective national responsibility, saying Nigerians had a duty to build a better country for future generations.
“We have a country to build,” he said, urging citizens and leaders to abandon greed, stop finger-pointing and procrastination, confront the country’s challenges and take responsibility for its future.

He said doing so would be one of the most enduring ways to honour the contributions of senior citizens who had spent their lives serving the nation.