Abia State Governor Alex Otti has urged Nigerians to remain vigilant in protecting the freedoms and democratic gains secured through the struggles of previous generations.
Otti made the call in his 2026 Independence Day message on Thursday in Umuahia, stressing that sustaining the country’s democratic progress required collective vigilance and active citizenship.
He warned that taking democratic freedoms for granted could create room for their erosion.
“The fruits of yesterday’s struggles can only be sustained by the collective vigilance of our generation and those coming after us,” Otti said.
The governor thanked Abia residents for their “unshakable faith” in Nigeria despite the country’s difficult history and expressed appreciation for their support for his administration.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to the rapid socio-economic transformation of Abia, saying his government would continue to build systems and institutions capable of meeting the state’s development aspirations.
“Together, we shall build systems and institutions that answer to our development aspirations,” he said.
Otti said the security and welfare of Abians would remain the administration’s foremost priority, while pledging the state’s contribution to fulfilling the aspirations of Nigeria’s founding fathers.
He urged Nigerians to embrace active citizenship, vote responsibly and participate in efforts to protect democracy, regardless of political affiliation, religion or place of origin.
According to him, nation-building requires citizens to use legitimate means, including voting, public participation, paying taxes and obeying the law.
“The patriotic thing to do is to boldly confront the situation headlong, using every legitimate tool available to us, refusing any temptation to surrender, until we achieve the outcomes that we seek,” he said.
The governor also urged Nigerians to reject vote-selling, political apathy, dishonesty, mediocrity, greed, nepotism and clannishness, which he identified as obstacles to national development.
He said democracy’s strength lies in giving citizens a say in choosing their leaders.
“The superior appeal of democracy is the freedom it offers ordinary men and women to have a direct say in who governs them,” Otti said.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s potential for greatness, Otti said potential alone would not transform the country without the commitment and hard work of its citizens.
He commended security personnel, teachers, health workers, civil servants, artisans, traders, entrepreneurs, farmers, artists, sportspeople, diplomats, scientists and others contributing to Nigeria’s development and promoting its cultural and intellectual heritage.
Otti urged Nigerians not to surrender to present difficulties, stressing the need for perseverance in overcoming the country’s challenges.
“The message that I leave you with remains what it has always been; do not give up, keep pushing and never surrender to the vicissitudes of the time,” he said.
He congratulated Nigerians on the 66th Independence Anniversary and called for renewed commitment to national development and the country’s democratic future.
