Nigeria's democratic system remains intact, but its citizens have fallen short, according to Otti

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has emphasized that democracy is the most viable path for Nigeria's development, attributing the country's post-1999 challenges to poor leadership choices rather than a failure of the democratic system.

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In his 2026 Democracy Day address, titled “Of Freedom and Development,” Otti stressed that Nigerians must take ownership of strengthening democratic values such as accountability, civic engagement, and good governance.

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Otti argued that the democratic system itself is not flawed, but rather, it is the errors in individual and collective decisions that have hindered progress, as he stated, “It is not democracy that has failed; we have only been let down by errors in our individual and collective decisions.”

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The governor paid tribute to the heroes of June 12 and other pro-democracy activists, acknowledging the significant sacrifices made to achieve the country's current freedoms against military rule.

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Otti cautioned citizens against electoral apathy, vote buying, and participation in political violence, emphasizing that democracy can only function effectively when voters remain active and responsible.

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He warned that electoral indifference would only lead to misery, and that citizens who sell their votes or support divisive politics contribute to the weakening of democratic institutions, stating, “The only reward for electoral indifference is misery.”

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Otti urged Nigerians to hold leaders accountable while being realistic about governance, emphasizing that progress may be gradual but must be measurable.

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Speaking on his administration, the governor highlighted that democratic governance has enabled Abians to reclaim their development trajectory through investments in infrastructure, security, education, and social welfare.

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Otti expressed confidence that the ongoing reforms in Abia State would endure, declaring that the state would not revert to what he described as an era of mediocrity.

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He called on citizens to stay informed and actively participate in governance, emphasizing that sustaining democracy is a shared responsibility.