By Peter Okore, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has called on Nigeria to deploy every legitimate means available to confront terrorism and other forms of insecurity threatening lives and livelihoods across the country.
Otti made the call in a Democracy Day broadcast titled “Of Freedom and Development,” delivered to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
The governor said terrorism continues to claim innocent lives, destroy dreams and displace vulnerable citizens, particularly women and children, stressing that the country must take decisive action to defeat the menace.
“We must deploy every legitimate tool at our disposal to confront the nightmare of terrorism, which steals lives, shatters dreams and makes refugees of vulnerable people, especially women and children,” he said.
He also urged Nigerians to reject economic and political greed, sectarianism and other behaviours that undermine democratic values and national unity.
According to him, “the time is now ripe to effectively denounce the evil of economic and political greed, sectarianism and other behavioural dispositions that are incompatible with democratic values and principles.”
Reflecting on the significance of Democracy Day, Otti noted that Nigerians must continually reassess their commitment to the ideals that sustained the pro-democracy struggle of the 1990s and ultimately led to the restoration of democratic governance in 1999.
He described democracy as a system that guarantees diversity of opinions, freedom of expression and periodic opportunities for citizens to evaluate leadership and national progress.
“The most appealing promise of democracy is the allowance for plurality of opinions, the freedom to interrogate ideas and the opportunity for periodic reflection,” he stated.
“This day presents to us, members of the Nigerian community, a special invitation to evaluate our pace on the democratic track, interrogate assumptions and estimate our measure of progress on two fronts — since the dawn of the Fourth Republic in May 1999 and, more importantly, over the last 33 years following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. The point of looking back is to shape behaviour and reset priorities.”
The governor paid tribute to pro-democracy activists who fought against military rule, noting that the freedoms Nigerians enjoy today were won through the sacrifices of thousands of citizens who resisted authoritarianism.
“The years between 1993 and 1999 were defined by the courage and resilience of our compatriots who made very difficult sacrifices to remove Nigeria from the shackles of military dictatorship,” Otti said.
“A great price was paid to restore democracy to this land. It then follows that we have to regularly remind ourselves that the rights, freedom and privileges we enjoy today are borne from the toil and tears of thousands of men and women who refused to give in to the threats and shenanigans of military dictatorship.”
Otti also cautioned citizens against actions capable of undermining democratic governance, particularly vote-buying and political violence.
He warned that accepting inducements from politicians in exchange for votes weakens accountability and erodes the foundations of democracy.
“May I also use this auspicious occasion to announce to us that we strip ourselves of the right to accountable governance when we begin to accept bribes from politicians and political parties for votes,” he said.
“The same thing also happens when we offer ourselves as instruments of violence or perhaps sell our platforms to those who promote bigotry, hatred or sectarian triumphalism.”
Looking ahead to future elections, the governor urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, informed and actively engaged in the democratic process.
“As we prepare for the next round of general elections, it is incumbent on all of us to be attentive to everything happening around us, for democracy demands knowledge, which is the foundation of informed decision-making,” he said.
He assured residents that Abia State had made significant progress under his administration and pledged that the state would not return to what he described as an era of poor governance and mediocrity.
“May I assure that our progress is irreversible. We are never returning to the old order of mediocrity, for the light has shone in our path. Progress may be slow, but it need not be a mirage,” Otti declared.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to building a prosperous and inclusive society, urging citizens to make choices that reflect their aspirations for a better future.
“Remember, a resolute commitment has been made to march forward as a community of people united by a common heritage and bound by shared dreams of the future. Let the choices that we make reflect the sincerity of our conviction,” he added.