• Akpabio, Abbas, Oborevwori preach steadfastness 
• Nigeria needs credible leadership – David Mark
• Independence promise still elusive, says RULAAC 
• Atiku hails Nigerians’ courage, blasts APC over economic strangulation

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and patient for President Bola Tinubu’s reforms to take root, assuring that “the worst is over” and the benefits of the policies are beginning to show.
 
Aligning their faith with that of Akpabio, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in their commitment to building a stronger and more united nation, assuring that the country would overcome its present challenges to emerge greater.
 
On his part, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen David Mark, described the nation’s 65-year-old journey as one of resilience in the face of daunting challenges. 
 
However, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) said Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary should be a time for sober reflection, not just celebration, since the promises had yet to be fulfilled.
 
While paying tribute to the uncommon patience, endurance and resilience of Nigerians who, despite living under suffocating socio-economic and security conditions, continue to hold the country together, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar lashes the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the country’s woes.
 
In his Independence Day message, Akpabio congratulated Nigerians for their resilience and unity in the face of economic challenges, describing their sacrifices as vital investments in the country’s future.
 
“At 65, we are mature as a nation and should channel our strength towards unity and prosperity. Yes, there are pains today, but they are temporary. Very soon, Nigerians will begin to reap the full rewards of these reforms,” he said.
 
He praised Tinubu for his commitment to peace and development, commended the National Assembly for steadfast legislative support, and saluted Nigerians at home and abroad for keeping faith in the country.
 
Dismissing gloomy narratives about Nigeria’s future, Akpabio maintained that the country is firmly on course under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said is already reshaping the economy and governance.

OBOREVWORI, in his Independence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu’s policies designed to improve the living standards of the people. He noted that his government was investing heavily in massive infrastructure upgrades across Delta, advancing a power revolution through a renewable energy mix, and creating an enabling environment to attract foreign direct investments. 
 
The efforts, he explained, were aimed at making life more meaningful for residents and significantly boosting the state’s economy. The governor used the occasion to appeal to all ethnic groups in Delta to embrace peace and remain united, stressing peace as a sine-qua-non for sustainable development.

RELATEDLY, Abbas expressed confidence that with the implementation of Tinubu’s policies, Nigeria will remain on the right path to reclaiming its position as Africa’s biggest economy.
 
While acknowledging security and socio-economic challenges, Abbas urged Nigerians to remain steadfast, prayerful and patriotic. He assured that the 10th House of Representatives would continue to deliver accountable leadership, good governance and dividends of democracy, especially to grassroots communities.

MARK, in a goodwill statement issued by his media adviser, Paul Mumeh, acknowledged that although Nigeria had gone through many trials, emphasising that the people must not lose faith in their collective ability to rebuild and reposition the country for prosperity. He urged citizens to draw strength from history and confront present realities with courage and unity.
 
The former Senate president called on Nigerians to use the lessons of the past as a guide to make informed choices in the 2027 general elections, insisting that only visionary and credible leadership could deliver the country from its present challenges.

IN a statement yesterday, the Executive Director of RULAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, lamented that the promise of independence won in 1960 through the sacrifice of Nigeria’s founding leaders remained largely unfulfilled.

 “October 1, 1960, marked a historic turning point as our forebearers secured independence from colonial rule,” Nwanguma said. “They envisioned a nation built on freedom, justice, unity and prosperity. Sixty-five years later, the question we must ask is, how much freedom do we truly have, and how far have our leaders taken us on the path of development?”

 He lamented that corruption, poor governance, insecurity and economic hardship continue to define life for millions of Nigerians, while only a privileged few enjoy wealth and comfort.
 
“Elections, meant to be the cornerstone of democracy, are repeatedly subverted through rigging and fraud,” he said. “Independence anniversaries should not be reduced to empty rituals. Government must remember its constitutional duty to guarantee the security and welfare of the people.” Nwanguma urged Nigerians to rise to their civic duty by defending democracy and demanding accountability.

ATIKU, in an Independence Day message released by his media office yesterday, lamented that Nigerians were enduring excruciating pains from raging insecurity, food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness, all compounded by the insensitivity of the APC-led administration.
 
“It is tragic,” Atiku declared, “that in a country blessed with immense human and material resources, millions of our people have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland.
 
“Every responsible government holds the welfare and security of its citizens as supreme. But what we have today is an administration that has abandoned its people. Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring.”

 Calling on citizens not to lose faith, Atiku reminded Nigerians that 2027 provides a clear opportunity to reject bad leadership and reclaim the promise of a better tomorrow.