Labour Party House of Representatives candidate for Owerri Federal Constituency, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has called on Nigerians to use Democracy Day as a moment of reflection on the state of the nation and the quality of leadership at all levels of government.
In a statement marking the June 12 Democracy Day celebration, the former First Lady of Ondo State said while Nigerians have every reason to celebrate the country’s democratic journey, the occasion should also serve as a call to action for citizens to demand accountability and good governance.
She paid tribute to the heroes of Nigeria’s democracy, particularly the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, whose struggle and sacrifice, she said, helped secure the democratic freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.
According to her, democracy must go beyond periodic elections and translate into tangible benefits for citizens through effective governance, functional institutions, justice, and credible electoral processes.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu expressed concern over what she described as declining public confidence in key democratic institutions, citing widespread dissatisfaction with the electoral process, governance challenges, and insecurity across the country.
She lamented the poor state of infrastructure, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, noting that many Nigerians continue to face economic hardship despite more than two decades of democratic rule.
“Roads have become death traps, public schools are in deplorable condition, healthcare facilities are struggling, and millions of young Nigerians remain unemployed or underemployed. At the same time, insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods across the country,” she said.
The Labour Party chieftain identified poor leadership as a major factor behind the nation’s challenges, stressing that no country can rise above the quality of its leadership.
According to her, when public office is treated as a platform for personal enrichment rather than service, development suffers and citizens lose hope in government.
She, however, pointed to Abia State as an example of what can be achieved through credible elections and purposeful leadership.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu praised the conduct of the 2023 governorship election in the state, particularly the role played by the then Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Nnenna Otti, whom she credited with resisting pressure to compromise the electoral process.
She noted that the emergence of Governor Alex Otti through what many considered a credible electoral process has led to significant improvements in governance and infrastructure development in the state.
“Abia has demonstrated that when competent and visionary leaders emerge through credible elections, meaningful transformation is possible,” she said.
The House of Representatives hopeful urged Nigerians not to accept poor governance as inevitable, insisting that citizens possess the power to shape the country’s future through the ballot box.
As preparations gradually begin for the 2027 general elections, she encouraged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), participate actively in the democratic process, and resist attempts to exchange their votes for financial inducements.
She also called on citizens to demand accountability, competence, and results from elected leaders.
“Democracy can only work when citizens take ownership of it. Nigerians must protect their votes, participate actively, and insist on leadership that prioritises the welfare of the people,” she said.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu maintained that Nigeria’s future remains bright if citizens embrace responsible leadership and strengthen democratic institutions.
She urged Nigerians to move beyond ceremonies and slogans on Democracy Day and recommit themselves to building a nation where justice prevails, institutions function effectively, and government truly serves the people.
FULL STATEMENT:
DEMOCRACY DAY: CELEBRATION OR A CALL TO ACTION?
Today, I join millions of Nigerians in commemorating Democracy Day and extending my warm wishes to the good people of Owerri Federal Constituency and indeed all Nigerians.
It is proper and appropriate to do so.
June 12 occupies a special place in our national history. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by patriots who fought for democratic governance and honours the ultimate price paid by Chief M.K.O. Abiola in defending the people’s mandate. Their courage helped secure the democratic space we enjoy today.
However, beyond the celebrations, speeches, and goodwill messages, we must ask ourselves a fundamental question:
Is democracy truly working for the Nigerian people?
Democracy is not merely about holding elections every four years. Democracy should guarantee that votes count, institutions function, justice prevails, and government serves the people.
Sadly, many Nigerians are struggling to see these dividends.
Our democracy is facing serious challenges.
Many citizens have lost confidence in the electoral process because they believe their votes no longer count.
The judiciary, which should be the last hope of the common man, increasingly faces questions that undermine public trust.
Politicians and those in positions of power often operate with impunity, insulated from the consequences of their actions while ordinary citizens bear the burden of poor governance.
Look around our country.
Roads have become death traps.
Public schools are in deplorable condition, with inadequate facilities and shortages of qualified teachers.
The healthcare system is in distress. Hospitals are struggling while doctors, nurses, and other health professionals continue to leave the country in large numbers in search of better opportunities abroad.
Millions of young Nigerians remain unemployed or underemployed, trapped in forgotten rural communities without opportunities to fulfil their potential.
Poverty continues to ravage households across the nation.
Meanwhile, insecurity has become a frightening reality of everyday life. Kidnapping for ransom has become commonplace. Farmers are afraid to farm. Travelers are afraid to travel. Communities live in fear.
This is not the Nigeria we envisioned when democracy returned in 1999.
The state of our nation is exasperating.
Which way Nigeria?
The answer, in my view, lies largely in one word:
Leadership.
No nation rises above the quality of its leadership.
When leadership lacks vision, competence, integrity, and compassion, citizens suffer.
When public office becomes an avenue for personal enrichment rather than service, development stagnates and hope diminishes.
This is why Nigerians must learn to recognize when leadership is failing.
We cannot continue doing the same things and expect different results.
We cannot continue rewarding failure and expecting progress.
If roads remain impassable after years of promises, that is a leadership problem.
If our schools continue to deteriorate, that is a leadership problem.
If our hospitals are collapsing, that is a leadership problem.
If our youths remain unemployed and our people insecure, that is a leadership problem.
Thankfully, there is a shining example close to home that proves that things can change when the right leadership emerges.
During the 2023 elections in Abia State, Professor Nnenna Otti became a symbol of courage and integrity. Faced with pressure to compromise the people’s mandate, she stood firm and refused to manipulate election results.
Her response was captured in a phrase that has since become famous:
“O wuu mmadụ ga-eme ya.” (Somebody will do it.)
Because one woman chose integrity over compromise, the true will of the people prevailed.
That process led to the emergence of Dr. Alex Otti of the Labour Party.
Today, Abia State is widely acknowledged as one of Nigeria’s leading examples of purposeful governance. Roads are being reconstructed. Public confidence is returning. Government is becoming more responsive. The state is experiencing a remarkable turnaround.
What changed?
Not the people.
Not the geography.
Not the natural resources.
Leadership changed.
The election of a Labour Party governor with a clear vision and commitment to service has demonstrated that good governance is possible.
Abia has become living proof that when credible elections produce capable leaders, transformation follows.
The lesson for Imo State and Nigeria is clear.
We do not have to accept poor governance as our destiny.
We do not have to normalize failure.
We do not have to continue recycling the same leadership that has produced the same disappointing outcomes.
We can choose differently.
As a member of the Labour Party and a candidate for the House of Representatives for Owerri Federal Constituency, I firmly believe that Nigeria’s future can be brighter if we embrace competent, accountable, and people-centred leadership.
The Labour Party has shown through examples like Abia that governance can be purposeful, compassionate, transparent, and development-driven.
The evidence is visible for all to see.
As we approach 2027, Nigerians must remember that democracy gives us one powerful instrument for change:
The ballot box.
- Do not sell your vote.
- Do not exchange your future for temporary inducements.
- Do not surrender your democratic power to political merchants.
- Get your PVC.
- Protect your vote.
- Participate actively in the democratic process.
- Demand accountability.
- Demand competence.
- Demand results.
- Because democracy can only work when citizens take ownership of it.
As we celebrate Democracy Day, let us move beyond ceremonies and slogans.
Let us recommit ourselves to building a nation where leadership serves the people, where institutions work, where justice prevails, and where every Nigerian can aspire to a better future.
And whenever we are tempted to believe that change is impossible, let us remember the words of Professor Nnenna Otti:
“O wuu mmadụ ga-eme ya.”
Yes, somebody will do it.
In 2027, that somebody can be you, the Nigerian voter, determined to rescue our democracy and reclaim our future.
Get your PVC. Exercise your right. Vote wisely. Vote for change.
Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu,
Ada Owere 1,
Ada Emeabiam II
Labour Party Candidate, House of Representatives Owerri Federal Constituency
