Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, has urged Nigerian youth to step out of the sidelines and take active roles in shaping the country’s political future.
Speaking at the Democracy Day lecture held in Abuja on Thursday in commemoration of June 12, Uzodimma emphasized that democracy is not sustained by institutions alone, but by the active involvement of citizens who vote, question, write, and engage with the process.
“Young Nigerians must see themselves as part of this system. They must see themselves as participants, not mere spectators. You inherited the right earned in 1993. You must also inherit the responsibilities they are there. Change comes from active participation, not docility. There is also the matter of political will,” he said.
He stressed that no system, regardless of how perfect, can function properly or resist manipulation without principled and courageous actors. “At critical moments, leaders must choose a direction. Not every choice will be popular, but it must always be defensible in terms of public interest and national stability,” he added.
Praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, Uzodimma said the current administration understands the balance between strength and sensitivity. “We have had that kind of leadership now. We have this leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one that understands the difference between strength and stubbornness, one that can hold institutions accountable without weakening them, one that listens, not just reacts, one that is answerable to the people,” he noted.
Referencing policy reforms under Tinubu’s administration, Uzodimma highlighted the impact of subsidy removal, which he said had fostered competition in the downstream sector and enabled the redirection of public funds toward infrastructure and education.
He also pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as an initiative expanding access to higher education. “These efforts are the signs of a government serious about translating governance into the outcomes where progress can be seen, felt, and sustained,” he said.
As the nation marked Democracy Day, the governor urged citizens not to view June 12 as merely historical. “Today, the road ahead requires commitment. Institutions must be built to survive transitions. Political actors must agree on basic rules. The press must remain independent. The courts must act without fear, and citizens must stay involved beyond election day,” he stressed.
Reflecting on the significance of June 12, he said it marks a critical point when Nigerians made a clear electoral choice, which the system initially rejected. He praised the APC-led government for restoring the legacy of Chief MKO Abiola.
“In recognising June 12, the APC-led government did more than declare a public holiday. It corrected the record. It restored the name of Chief MKO Abiola to its rightful place in our political and democratic history,” Uzodimma said.
