Democracy Day:Reject Vote Buying or Forget Development, Otti Tells Nigerians

Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, has urged Nigerians to refrain from accepting bribes from politicians and political parties in exchange for their votes,if they want development.
He also advised citizens not to make themselves instruments of violence or lend their platforms to individuals who promote bigotry, hatred, and sectarian triumphalism.
Otti made these remarks in a message commemorating Nigeria’s 2026 Democracy Day on Friday.

He said:”May I also use this auspicious occasion to remind us that we forfeit our right to accountable governance when we begin to accept bribes from politicians and political parties in exchange for our votes. The same thing happens when we allow ourselves to be used as instruments of violence or sell our platforms to those who promote bigotry, hatred, or sectarian triumphalism.
“Whenever we engage in such conduct or participate in actions that dim the bright flame of freedom that democracy promotes, we become one with those who desecrate the sacred trust of public office in pursuit of narrow interests. We become conspirators.”
According to the governor, while Nigerians must continue to push for change, it is important to recognise that the outcomes they seek may not materialise overnight.

He noted that the progress and development citizens desire is a marathon rather than a sprint.

Otti stated:”We would do well to appreciate the dangers of believing those who make impossible promises and politicians whose desperation for power blinds them to obvious realities. We must, however, reject the excuses that often justify inaction or conceal patterns of incompetence. While progress may not happen overnight, it should not take an eternity, especially in the face of existential threats.
“Ultimately, indolence and democracy cannot coexist. Progress, which is one of the essential fruits of democracy, requires collective vigilance,an ever-present readiness to interrogate outcomes, demand accountability, and insist that only the best is good enough for our communities.”
Speaking on developments in Abia State, Otti said democracy had empowered the people to take control of their destiny.
Otti said:”Yes, we have been dealt the short end of the stick a few times, but the good news is that our refusal to give up has ultimately paid off. We are better today because we kept faith with democracy, refusing to be discouraged by the disappointments that accompanied previous efforts.
“Through significant investments in infrastructure, human capital development, public welfare, security, and other critical sectors, we have demonstrated that freedom and genuine development are not mutually exclusive. The pride of our land is being restored,not through the benevolence of an individual dictator, but because our people seized the opportunity offered by democracy to elect leaders who understand the true purpose of public office.
“As one who bears the weight of the people’s trust, I am once again bound to thank you, umunne m ndi Abia, for finding us worthy to serve. Let me reiterate my commitment to the principles and aspirations that inspired your trust and loyalty to this cause.
“May I assure you that our progress is irreversible. We shall never return to the old order of mediocrity, for light has shone upon our path. As I have often said, progress may be slow, but it must never become a mirage.
“As we prepare for the next round of general elections, it is incumbent upon all of us to remain attentive to everything happening around us, for democracy demands knowledge, which is the foundation of informed decision-making.
“Remember that we have made a resolute commitment to move forward as a community united by a common heritage and bound by shared aspirations for the future. Let the choices we make reflect the sincerity of that conviction.”
The governor further observed that many Nigerians have lived through the setbacks and disappointments of the Fourth Republic but warned against surrendering to cynicism.
According to him, although the country could have performed better in several critical areas of development, particularly in the welfare and security of citizens, he does not subscribe to the view that Nigeria’s democratic journey has been defined solely by failure.
Otti said:
“Many people have experienced the setbacks and disappointments of the Fourth Republic, but it would be defeatist to give in to the cynicism of the moment. I agree that we could have done much better across several critical development frontiers, especially with respect to the welfare and security of our people.
“However, I do not share the pessimism of those who insist that it has been all doom and gloom. It is important to make it clear that democracy itself has not failed. Rather, we have been let down by errors in our individual and collective decisions.
“The disappointments of the post-1999 era belong to all of us—leaders and citizens alike,not to democracy or its foundational principles.
“Those who came before us remained steadfast in their conviction that democracy is the only genuine vehicle for national development, and millions of us still hold firmly to that belief. Yet, as I have said before, one of democracy’s greatest strengths is the freedom to question even our most cherished assumptions.
“As we commemorate the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, we are duty-bound to reassess our commitment to the ideals and values that sustained Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle during the final decade of the twentieth century.”