Democracy empowers citizens to hold leaders accountable, says Otti
Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has restated his commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting fundamental human rights, and ensuring that all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, can actively participate in the democratic process.

In his Democracy Day message delivered in Port Harcourt yesterday, Fubara also emphasised his administration’s dedication to safeguarding lives and property through robust security strategies. He pledged to continue defending the state’s interests and to maintain a government that values inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.
 
Reflecting on Nigeria’s 26 years of continuous democratic rule, the governor called for collaboration across political divides to build a society where every citizen is heard, supported to achieve their potential, and encouraged to contribute to collective progress.
 
He acknowledged the recent political turbulence in the state, which disrupted democratic governance, noting that it served as a reminder of how delicate democracy can be. He stressed that democracy must be actively protected and nurtured to remain strong and meaningful.
 
The governor noted that the state’s democratic experience has come with both victories and challenges, each reinforcing the need to stay true to the principles of democracy. He said that his administration has prioritised fairness and open-mindedness, safeguarded civil liberties, and put systems in place to ensure effective oversight.

ALSO, the Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to upholding the tenets of democracy and delivering tangible benefits to the people of the state.
 
In a statement released yesterday in commemoration of Nigeria’s democracy, Otu extended his congratulations to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on this significant occasion.
 
He said: “Democracy Day provides an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s democratic journey and renew our dedication to its core principles. As Governor of Cross River State, I am committed to ensuring that our state not only upholds these principles but also reaps the rewards that a thriving democracy can provide for its citizens.”

IN the same vein, the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has described democracy as the superior form of government, stating that it is the only system that gives the average man on the street the same power as the wealthy and empowers citizens to hold their representatives accountable.

Otti said this in his 2025 Democracy Day goodwill message marked, “The Priceless Treasure of Democracy.”
 
He said that the June 12 anniversary presents a special opportunity to evaluate individuals’ roles in advancing the ethos of democracy and appreciate what they need to do more to guarantee that the government of the people, for the people and by the people, as Abraham Lincoln captured it, remains the favourite vehicle for actualising their shared development aspirations. 
 
According to Otti, the menace of hunger, poverty, unemployment, insecurity, social anxiety, and deteriorating or non-existent public infrastructure taints the appeal of democracy for millions of Nigerians.