By Sam Otuonye
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, has said democracy remains Nigeria’s most viable path to national development, arguing that the country’s challenges since the return to civilian rule in 1999 stem from poor leadership decisions rather than any inherent flaw in the democratic system.
Otti stated this in his 2026 Democracy Day message titled, “Of Freedom and Development,” he urged Nigerians to recommit themselves to the principles of accountability, civic participation and good governance, stressing that the success of democracy depends on the actions of both leaders and citizens.
“It is not democracy that has failed; we have only been let down by errors in our individual and collective decisions,” the governor said.
Otti paid tribute to the heroes of the June 12 struggle and other pro-democracy activists, noting that the freedoms Nigerians enjoy today were secured through immense sacrifices and resistance to military rule.
He warned against voter apathy, vote buying and political violence, saying such actions undermine democratic institutions and weaken governance.
“The only reward for electoral indifference is misery,” he said, adding that citizens who sell their votes or support divisive politics contribute to the erosion of democracy.
Otti further urged citizens to remain informed and actively engaged in governance, stressing that the preservation and growth of democracy require collective responsibility.
The governor also called on Nigerians to hold public office holders accountable while maintaining realistic expectations about governance, noting that although progress may be gradual it must remain visible and measurable.
Reflecting on his administration’s performance, Otti said democratic governance had enabled Abia State to regain its development momentum through investments in infrastructure, security, education and social welfare.
He expressed optimism that the reforms being implemented in the state would endure and insisted that Abia would not return to what he described as “an era of mediocrity.”