RismadarVoice Reporters
October 1, 2026
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has urged Nigerians to reject vote-selling, political apathy and primordial sentiments, saying responsible electoral choices and active citizenship are essential to the country’s development.
Otti made the call in his Independence Day broadcast on Thursday as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary of independence.
The governor said Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources would not automatically translate into sustainable development without responsible leadership and citizens willing to contribute to national progress.
He urged Nigerians to participate actively in elections and public affairs, pay taxes, obey the law, reject corruption and pursue excellence in their respective fields.
Otti warned that national progress would remain difficult if citizens stayed away from elections, sold their votes or allowed primordial considerations to determine their electoral choices.
According to him, Nigeria has recorded achievements since independence but continues to confront major challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, poverty, unemployment, limited access to education and healthcare, and insecurity.
He also expressed concern over the number of young Nigerians leaving the country in search of opportunities abroad, urging citizens not to allow the difficulties facing the country to lead to despair.
Instead, he encouraged Nigerians to channel their concerns into legitimate demands for better governance while making their own contributions to national development.
Otti said every Nigerian should see themselves as a stakeholder in the country regardless of political affiliation, religion, occupation or place of origin.
He criticised dishonesty, mediocrity, greed, nepotism and clannishness, arguing that such practices contribute to corruption, institutional weakness and developmental setbacks.
On Nigeria’s democratic experience, the governor noted that the country has remained under uninterrupted democratic rule for 27 years and said citizens should use the electoral process to determine who governs them.
He called for capable leadership at every level of government, saying public offices should be entrusted to people considered best suited for the responsibilities involved.
“The philosophy of hiring the best hands for the job should apply to every public position in contest,” Otti said.
The governor also commended security personnel for their sacrifices in confronting insecurity across the country.
He acknowledged the contributions of teachers, healthcare workers, civil servants, artisans, traders, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, farmers, scientists, artists, sportspeople and other Nigerians contributing to national development.
Turning to Abia State, Otti thanked residents for their support and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the socioeconomic development of the state.
He said the security and welfare of residents would remain priorities of his administration and called for continued vigilance in protecting democratic freedoms.
“The fruits of yesterday’s struggles can only be sustained by the collective vigilance of our generation and those coming after us,” he said.
Otti warned against complacency, maintaining that sustaining Nigeria’s democratic gains requires continuous participation and accountability from both citizens and those entrusted with public office.
