Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has described Orji Uzor Kalu’s eight years as governor of Abia State as a significant period in the state’s political history, saying his leadership gave Abia a strong voice in national affairs during the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

Chidoka, who spoke as guest speaker at the 35th anniversary celebration of Abia State, said Kalu understood the political circumstances facing the South-East when civilian rule returned in 1999 and used his visibility to position Abia more prominently in the national conversation.

According to him, the South-East was seeking greater political relevance at the beginning of the Fourth Republic, and Kalu’s assertive approach helped give Abia a stronger presence beyond the state.

“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.

Kalu became governor of Abia in 1999 and remained in office until 2007. During the period, he emerged as one of the more prominent governors in the country and was frequently involved in national political debates.

Chidoka said that visibility was an important part of the Kalu years, particularly because of the political uncertainty and search for influence that characterised the South-East in the early period of the Fourth Republic.

He, however, said the momentum associated with that period did not continue after Kalu left office.

“Over time, that moment faded. Infrastructure deteriorated, the state’s national standing diminished, and Aba increasingly seemed to succeed despite government rather than because of it,” he said.

Chidoka’s assessment of the state’s history came against the backdrop of what he described as a new opportunity under Governor Alex Otti.

He said Otti appeared to recognise the need to restore public confidence, improve infrastructure and rebuild a sense of possibility in the state.

“Alex Otti appears to have understood this one: a moment to restore confidence in government, rebuild infrastructure and recover Abia’s sense of possibility,” Chidoka said.

The former minister also used the occasion to examine the often-made argument that African societies need strong institutions rather than strong leaders.

While agreeing that no society should remain dependent on one individual, Chidoka argued that strong leadership can be necessary when existing institutions are weak, provided the leader uses that opportunity to build systems that can outlast him.

“We often say Africa needs strong institutions, not strong men. I agree that no society should depend indefinitely on one individual. But who creates strong institutions when the institutions themselves are weak?” he asked.

Chidoka said the distinction should therefore be between leaders who make themselves indispensable and those who use their authority to establish institutions capable of functioning without them.

“The strongman makes himself indispensable. The strong leader builds a system that can eventually work without him,” he said.

For Abia, he said, the immediate challenge was to ensure that the current period of renewal did not remain tied to the tenure or personality of one administration.

He argued that the state needed to convert the present opportunity into a durable standard for governance, infrastructure and development.

“Can the present Abia moment become the permanent Abia standard?” Chidoka asked.

Abia State was created in 1991 and marked its 35th anniversary in 2026. Kalu, who governed the state for two terms between 1999 and 2007, currently represents Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.