“I CAN SAY WITHOUT ANY FEAR OF CONTRADICTION, I’VE SEEN SIGNS OF GOVERNANCE WHICH WERE NOT THERE BEFORE” — FEMI FALANA COMMENDS GOVERNOR ALEX OTTI’S TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN ABIA STATE

…discusses Nnamdi Kanu’s Case With Gov. Otti

Prominent Nigerian human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has hailed the outstanding achievements of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, within two years and a few months in office, describing his administration as a clear departure from the past and a shining example of good governance.

Falana made the commendation on Wednesday, October 8, while speaking with journalists after paying a courtesy visit to Governor Otti at his office in Umuahia. The senior advocate, who was in Abia State for a court case, said he has followed the political and developmental trajectory of the state since 1999 and could confidently attest to the unprecedented progress being recorded under Otti’s administration.

“I’m familiar with the entire country. I’m familiar with the affairs of Abia State. I’ve been coming here since the inauguration of the civilian government, since 1999.

“And I can say without any fear of contradiction that I’ve seen signs of governance which was not there before. I’ve seen evidence of physical development.

“I’ve gone around. I’ve seen good roads, I’ve seen good schools, and hospitals and I am very confident that the Governor can do much more than he has done. And he owes some of us a duty to ensure that he does not disappoint.

“I’ve also spoken to people. It’s not enough to go around and see physical development without finding out from the people how they are faring. And I’ve had very positive comments from the people,” Falana stated.

The respected legal luminary disclosed that part of his private discussion with the Governor centered on sustaining people-oriented governance and ensuring that Abians continue to be the centerpiece of government policies and programs. He commended Otti for leading with vision and transparency, while urging him to maintain his focus on delivering tangible results to the people.

When asked about the continued detention and pending court case of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Falana described the matter as a political case that should be resolved outside the courtroom.

“I cannot comment on pending proceedings. You understand me? Like you said, the case was in court today (Wednesday), but I believe that it is a matter that should be sorted out outside the courtroom.

“For me, it’s a political case. And if you have a situation where some governments are negotiating with bandits or other criminal elements, there can be no basis for not having that matter resolved politically,” Falana asserted.

Speaking on judicial reforms, the human rights lawyer lamented that access to justice in Nigeria remains a privilege of politicians and elites, rather than a right of every citizen. He called for urgent reforms to make justice more accessible to ordinary Nigerians through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and the strengthening of traditional judicial systems.

“Right now, we have a lot of access to justice by the politicians. Only their cases move in court because political cases are time-bound.

“Other cases for me must be time-bound. People make the mistake of saying that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. The common man has no means to go to court. The judiciary is the last hope of the elite.

“If you want the ordinary people to benefit from the judicial system, you must promote alternative dispute resolution. The majority of our people do not go to the Western courts. They patronise traditional rulers and community leaders to resolve problems,” he said.

Falana further urged governments across Nigeria, including that of Abia State, to reform and empower customary courts and community justice systems where citizens naturally seek redress, noting that true justice must be accessible, affordable, and rooted in local realities.

“If people have confidence in their community leaders to dispense justice, we must promote such fora.

“So, I would call on the governments of Nigeria to pay more attention to the traditional judicial system. It’s not enough to satisfy the elite,” he concluded.

Falana’s remarks have been widely seen as a powerful endorsement of Governor Alex Otti’s governance model, one that prioritizes transparency, infrastructural renewal, and citizen welfare positioning Abia as a model of l eadership transformation in Nigeria.