Democracy Has Not Failed Nigeria, We Have, Says Otti

…Warns Against Vote Buying, Political Violence in Abia

By Steve Oko, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, stated that democracy remains Nigeria’s most viable route to development, arguing that the country’s challenges since 1999 stem from poor leadership decisions rather than a collapse of the democratic system.

In his 2026 Democracy Day speech titled “Of Freedom and Development,” Otti urged Nigerians to strengthen democratic values such as accountability, civic engagement, 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 the heroes of June 12 and other pro‑democracy activists, noting that Nigeria’s current freedoms were achieved through significant sacrifices against military rule.

He warned citizens against electoral apathy, vote buying, and participation in political violence, emphasizing that democracy functions effectively only when voters remain active and responsible.

“The only reward for electoral indifference is misery,” he cautioned, adding that citizens who sell their votes or support divisive politics contribute to the weakening of democratic institutions.

Otti also urged Nigerians to hold leaders accountable while maintaining realistic expectations about governance, stating that progress may be gradual but must remain measurable.

Speaking about his administration, the governor said democratic governance has enabled Abians to regain their development trajectory through investments in infrastructure, security, education, and social welfare.

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

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

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