Bolatito Mercy
Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has described the administration of former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, as a significant period in the political history of the state.
Chidoka said Kalu’s leadership helped place Abia prominently on Nigeria’s national political map and enabled the state to exert influence beyond what its size might suggest.
He made the remarks while speaking as a guest at activities marking the 35th anniversary of the creation of Abia State.
According to Chidoka, the beginning of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic presented the South-East with the challenge of establishing a stronger political voice within the new democratic order. He said Kalu understood the political realities of the period and provided the assertive leadership he believed the region required.
“At the beginning of the Fourth Republic, the South East was searching for voice and relevance in the new democratic order. Orji Uzor Kalu understood that moment. Young, assertive and politically visible, he put Abia firmly in the national conversation. Abia punched above its weight,” Chidoka said.
The former minister, however, argued that the momentum associated with the period declined after Kalu left office, with infrastructure deteriorating and the state’s national visibility diminishing in subsequent years.
Chidoka’s assessment formed part of a broader reflection on Abia’s journey since its creation on August 27, 1991, as the state marked 35 years of existence.
The anniversary has also provided an opportunity for political leaders and residents to reflect on the contributions of successive administrations and the challenges that have shaped the state’s development.
Governor Alex Otti, in his anniversary address, described Abia’s 35-year journey as one of resilience and said the occasion should serve not only as a celebration of the state’s achievements but also as an opportunity to consider the work that remains.
Otti said his administration had focused on areas including roads, education, healthcare, agriculture, housing and information and communication technology, while emphasising that the state was still at the beginning of its development journey.
The contrasting reflections on Abia’s past and present have renewed discussions about leadership, infrastructure and the role of political actors in shaping the state’s position within Nigeria.
As Abia enters another chapter of its development, the anniversary has highlighted both the achievements of past administrations and the continuing responsibility of present and future leaders to build on the state’s progress.
