Abia 2027 governorship contender, Sir Mascot Uzor-Kalu, has criticised politicians who cling to office yet deliver nothing, declaring that leadership is worthless if it doesn’t ease the suffering of the people.
Speaking before civic groups and community leaders in Aba, Kalu did not mince words about public office, saying it must be about service, not selfish comfort.
Kalu, a businessman-turned-politician, warned that Nigeria’s democracy will continue crawling instead of progressing unless leaders start putting citizens first.
He pointed at poverty, joblessness, crumbling infrastructure, and rising inequality as signs of a system failing its people, and a political class lacking sincerity.
He reminded leaders that the true test of power is the impact felt by ordinary citizens, not the prestige of the office.
“We must remind ourselves that public office is not a trophy. If we cannot improve lives, we have failed. Every policy, every programme, every decision must reflect a concern for the people’s wellbeing. Anything short of that is a betrayal of the mandate we carry,” Kalu said.
He slammed the growing habit of prioritising political survival over meaningful governance, saying it is destroying institutions and slowing development.
With the 2027 race gaining momentum, Kalu insisted that Nigeria must embrace leadership rooted in compassion, accountability, and real solutions.
“Leadership should never be about personal comfort. It should be about solving problems and building a better future for ordinary citizens. Our people deserve leaders who care, leaders who listen, and leaders who deliver,” he stressed.
The former Chief of Staff rolled out his doctrine of governance, which includes transparency, people-centric policies, and measurable impact.
He said Abia urgently needs reforms in public-sector efficiency, infrastructure revival, and youth economic empowerment.
“I believe strongly that governance must be practical. In Abia, we need to fix institutions, modernise our economy, and open new opportunities for our young people. These are not ambitions; they are necessities.”
Kalu warned leaders to stop hiding behind excuses as hardship crushes citizens daily.
He stressed that real governance begins with compassion and an understanding of people’s everyday struggles.
“When a leader understands the pain of the people, policymaking becomes more responsible.
“There is no reason any community should lack water, functional schools, or proper healthcare in 2025. These are basic expectations,” he added.
