- …as Prince Princewill says sustainable development could be achieved fundamentally via quality of politics and strength of governance
By Nwaorgu Faustinus
PORT HARCOURT (CONVERSEER) – 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 allegedly embedded in the system.
Otti, who decried the growing increase in voter apathy, despite huge funds used in political mobilisation due to disenchantment, especially after the 2023 general elections, noted that, “You find out that there is a continued decline in voters’ turnout in successive elections, despite the rising cost of political mobilisation.”
Governor Otti stated this yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the opening ceremony of the first international conference on ‘Advancing Politics And Governance For Sustainable Development’, organised by the Centre for Politics of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to him, “You find out that there is a continued decline in voters’ turnout in successive elections, despite the rising cost of political mobilisation.
He called on African leaders to pay more attention to advancing politics and governance across the continent.
Governor Otti who was represented by former Senate Minority Chief Whip, Darlington Nwokocha, said development in simple language “is the fair distribution of resources” among the people.
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Chairman of the conference, Tonye Princewill, during his opening address, 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.”
He noted that the conference could not have come at a more defining moment, saying, “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.
In his remarks, the speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule said the country will not forget him in a hurry after his tenure as Speaker.
Mr 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, noting that many of those actions have now been upheld by the Supreme Court, especially the elongation of the LGA chairmen’s tenure.
He observed that the legislature has become an endangered institution, recalling the recent demolition of the State House of Assembly complex.
The conference, which has its theme: ‘Politics, Resource Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa’ was attended by participants from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States (U.S.), Canada and Australia.
