Alex Otti Says Democracy Remains Nigeria’s Best Path

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has reaffirmed that democracy in Nigeria remains the country’s strongest route to development, saying its post-1999 challenges stem from poor leadership choices rather than flaws in the system itself.

Speaking in his 2026 Democracy Day address titled “Of Freedom and Development,” Otti said Nigerians must take greater responsibility for strengthening democratic values such as accountability, civic participation, and good governance.

“It is not democracy that has failed; we have only been let down by errors in our individual and collective decisions,” he said.

The governor paid tribute to heroes of the June 12 struggle and other pro-democracy activists, noting that Nigeria’s present freedoms were achieved through major sacrifices during the fight against military rule. He stressed that protecting those gains requires active citizen engagement and responsible leadership choices.

Otti warned against electoral apathy, vote buying, and political violence, describing them as threats to democracy in Nigeria. He said citizens who withdraw from elections or sell their votes weaken democratic institutions and slow national progress.

“The only reward for electoral indifference is misery,” he cautioned, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and participate fully in the democratic process. He also encouraged voters to hold leaders accountable while maintaining realistic expectations about governance outcomes.

Commenting on his administration, Otti said democratic governance had helped Abia State regain momentum in development through investments in infrastructure, security, education, and social welfare. He added that ongoing reforms were designed to ensure long-term progress.

The governor expressed confidence that the state would not return to what he described as an era of mediocrity, insisting that reforms would be sustained under continued democratic governance.

Otti further called on citizens to stay informed and actively engage in public affairs, emphasising that the success of democracy in Nigeria depends on both leaders and the governed working together.

Do you agree that leadership choices, rather than the system itself, are the main challenge facing Nigeria’s democracy?