Former Akwa Ibom State Governor and elder statesman, Obong Victor Attah, has been described as “arguably the best president Nigeria never had”, as preparations intensify for the celebration of his 87th birthday in Abuja on Thursday.
The remark came from Dr. Udeme Nana, Founder of Uyo Book Club, during an interactive session with journalists on Friday as part of activities leading up to Obong Attah’s pre-octogenarian birthday celebrations.
He said, Attah’s leadership qualities and national vision could have significantly altered the country’s development path.
“If Obong Attah had become Nigeria’s president, I am cocksure he would have turned the country around for good,” Nana said, describing the former governor as “a consummate patriot, deep thinker, knowledgeable, creative, cerebral and versatile on virtually any issue.”
Dr. Nana, who once served under Attah, lauded his former boss as a hardworking administrator endowed with world-class executive capacity.
He noted that Attah’s influence endures across Nigeria, particularly for his principled advocacy on true federalism, resource control, and equitable derivation payments to all mineral-bearing communities.
According to him, “Attah has long championed a universal model of derivation, insisting that benefits should not be restricted to oil-producing states because every Nigerian state possesses valuable mineral resources deserving of fair consideration.”
Meanwhile, national leaders will be honouring Attah in Abuja on Thursday, as the Nigeria’s political elite will converge on the NAF Conference Center, Abuja to celebrate Obong Attah’s 87th birthday.
The ceremony will feature the public presentation of his biography titled, “Attah: Architect of a New Democratic Dawn,” written by veteran journalist Dr. Dele Sobowale, to be unveiled by Mr. Sam Amuka, Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers.
Dr. Nana announced that Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, will serve as Chief Host, while the event will be chaired by former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described as a former colleague of Attah, is also expected to attend the Special Guest of honour and Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio as Guest of honour respectively.
The biography chronicles Attah’s distinguished public life, especially his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State from 1999 to 2007, during which he pioneered major development projects including extensive road networks, housing initiatives, and the iconic Ibom Le-Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort amongst others.
Nana added that many admirers view Attah as a transformational leader, whose philosophy and governance style could have reshaped Nigeria’s development trajectory.
As preparations peak, the Abuja celebration is expected to highlight the legacy of a man widely regarded as an architect, statesman, Mr. resource-control, and one of the most respected voices on good governance and fiscal federalism in modern Nigeria.
