Governor Otti links Nigeria's economic challenges to political choices and voter apathy
via Punch Nigeria5 min read
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State stated that Nigeria's economic difficulties stem from long-standing political decisions, warning that increasing voter apathy exacerbates governance failures, poverty, unemployment, and institutional decay. Speaking at The Niche's 2026 annual lecture, Otti highlighted that voter turnout in general elections has dropped from 57 percent in 2011 to under 30 percent in 2023, meaning a small fraction of the population now determines leadership outcomes. He argued that political disengagement undermines accountability, allowing poor leadership choices to persist and worsen national conditions. Otti stressed that civic responsibility extends beyond voting, requiring citizens to remain engaged throughout the political cycle and to research candidates' ideologies and track records. He also connected electoral malpractice and vote-buying to economic decline, asserting that corruption in the political process leads to leaders prioritizing personal gain over public service. Otti maintained that Nigeria's economic future depends on both leaders and citizens' active participation in democratic processes, urging Nigerians to view political engagement as a civic duty with direct economic consequences. The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, who chaired the event, lamented that Nigerian politics has become a business rather than a service, while the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, criticized public office holders for focusing too much on politics and too little o
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