Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has described Nigeria as a difficult environment for well-intentioned leaders to govern, citing systemic obstacles and resistance to reform.
Speaking at a special church service marking Governor Alex Otti’s two-year anniversary in office, Obi urged leaders to prioritize public welfare over personal gain.
“It is difficult to govern Nigeria, especially when you want to do it right,” Obi told congregants at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Umuahia. “Continue to remember the Governor and his team in prayers. Do the same for Nigeria; that God should touch the hearts of our leaders to use public money for public good. It is not our money—we are only trustees.”
Obi praised Otti’s administration as a model of effective governance that has delivered visible results within a short timeframe. “We have come to celebrate two years with a difference. People always say they need eight or ten years to make a change, but I have always said that one day can make a difference. In Abia, everyone can see the change—you don’t need the radio or someone to tell you,” he remarked.
The former Anambra governor clarified his political motivations, stating: “I’m not desperate to be President. I’m desperate to see Nigeria work. We want future leaders like Governor Otti.”
Governor Otti attributed his administration’s achievements to divine intervention, quoting 1 Corinthians 3:6-7: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God gave the increase. We’ve all worked hard, but nothing would have come out of it if God didn’t back us. That’s why we return all thanks to Him.” He acknowledged the contributions of the legislative and judicial branches, as well as his team, in the “new Abia project,” and thanked Obi for his consistent support and exemplary leadership.
Earlier in the service, Pastor Enyinnaya Uguru, former President of the Abia North Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, advised leaders against complacency.
Noting that Otti’s eventual victory came after multiple attempts, Uguru stated: “Periods of delay are often periods of preparation.” While commending the governor’s performance, he added: “You are doing well. I’m saying this because I have evidence.”
The well-attended thanksgiving service brought together government officials, political stakeholders, religious leaders, and citizens from across Abia State, serving as both a celebration of Otti’s achievements and a call for continued ethical leadership in Nigeria.