The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has expressed dismay over low turnout of voters where there are elections, as a result of rigging and manipulation by those entrusted with political power.
Governor Otti stated this on October 22, 2025, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the opening ceremony of the first international conference on advancing politics and governance for sustainable development’, with the theme: ‘Politics, Resource Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa’.
The conference was organised by the Centre for Politics of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Otti decries growing increase in voter apathy
Otti decried the growing increase in voter apathy due to disenchantment, especially after the 2023 general elections.
He regretted that such happens despite the huge funds deployed in political mobilization.
He noted: “You find out that there is a continued decline in voters’ turnout in successive elections, despite the rising cost of political mobilization…
“You find out that there is a continued decline in voters’ turnout in successive elections, despite the rising cost of political mobilization,” he added.
He called on African leaders to pay more attention to advancing politics and governance across the continent.
Governor Otti was represented at the event by former Senate Minority Chief Whip, Darlington Nwokocha.
Speaking, he said that development in simple language “is the fair distribution of resources” among the people.
“When politics is reduced to competition for power “
Chairman of the conference, Tonye Princewill, during his opening address, decried the currrent situation.
Princewill stated that it was becoming increasingly clear that sustainable development could not be achieved solely through economic growth or natural resource endowment.
According to him, “it depends — fundamentally — on the quality of politics and the strength of governance.
“When politics is reduced to competition for power rather than a platform for service, progress falters.
“When governance becomes transactional instead of transformational, development becomes a mirage.
“But when politics is guided by vision, values, and verifiable impact — and when governance is rooted in transparency, inclusion, and accountability — nations rise.”
Beyond diagnosing Africa’s challenges
Princewill noted that the conference could not have come at a more defining moment as Nigeria gets ready for the 2027 general election.
He said: “Across Africa, citizens are demanding leadership that delivers — not excuses but results; not promises but policies that work.
“Our universities are producing knowledge, our civil societies are driving accountability, and our youth are challenging old paradigms.
“This convergence of energy — intellectual, political, and civic — is the foundation of a new Africa.”
Continuing, he said: “The goal must be to move beyond diagnosing Africa’s challenges — towards designing solutions that are actionable, inclusive, and measurable.
“The test of our deliberations will not be how eloquent our papers sound, but how impactful our outcomes become.
“Let us remember that leadership is not a title; it is a trust. Governance is not a slogan; it is a system.
“And development is not an event; it is a process built on courage, collaboration, and consistency.”
He prayed that the conference marks a turning point from rhetoric to results, from ambition to achievement, and from potential to performance.
Legislature as a rubber-stamp arm of government
In his remarks, the speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, took on legislature.
Hon. Amaewhule said the country will not forget him in a hurry after his tenure as Speaker.
Hon. Amaewhule said he has worked to ensure that the legislature is not seen as a rubber-stamp arm of government.
He also spoke on some of the controversial decisions taken by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Amaewhule noted that many of those actions have now been upheld by the Supreme Court, especially elongation of LGA chairmen tenure.
He observed that the legislature has become an endangered institution, recalling the recent demolition of the State House of Assembly complex.
The conference was attended by participants from Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa.
Other participating countries were United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States (U.S.), Canada and Australia.
By Nwaorgu Faustinus, Port Harcourt.