Nigeria @65: CEHRAWS Commends Governor Alex Otti for his Pragmatic, People-centred Leadership

The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) joins millions of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to mark the nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary. Sixty-five years of nationhood is no small milestone, but it is a moment that calls less for champagne toasts and more for sober reflection.

Nigeria, like a grey-haired elder, ought to sit among the comity of nations with dignity, wisdom, and strong institutions. Sadly, our celebration today is mixed with discordant tunes – of laughter from a few, but lamentation from the majority. Six decades after independence, our nation still grapples with failed promises: collapsing schools, deserted industries, widespread insecurity, and a citizenry forced to compete not with the world, but with hunger and unemployment.

The 1999 Constitution, in Section 14(2)(b), clearly states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” Yet, these promises have too often been reduced to empty proverbs, recited with flair but ignored in governance. Our abundant natural and human resources: blessings meant to lift us into prosperity, have tragically become burdens fueling corruption and waste.

Most disturbing is the persistent undermining of local government autonomy. Section 7(1) of the Constitution guarantees democratically elected local councils, while Section 162(5–8) mandates direct allocation of resources to them. However, state governors across the federation have continued to hijack and suffocate this third tier of government, stripping it of life and denying citizens the dividends of democracy at the grassroots. This deliberate subversion, despite Supreme Court pronouncements and presidential directives, remains one of the gravest insults to federalism and national development.

Yet, even amid these shadows, there are flickers of hope. CEHRAWS acknowledges and applauds the efforts of responsible leaders who are working tirelessly to steer Nigeria away from collapse. In particular, we commend the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, for his pragmatic, people-centred leadership. Dr. Otti has demonstrated that governance, when anchored on transparency, accountability, and service, can restore public confidence and inspire a new vision for Nigeria.

However, CEHRAWS urges Dr. Otti to up the ante because much more is expected of him at this critical time. Governance must go beyond recovery to consolidation. Abians, and indeed Nigerians, expect greater strides in inclusiveness, broader accountability frameworks, and deeper transparency in resource management.

His leadership so far has raised hopes, but sustaining that hope will require widening the democratic space so that no group feels excluded, and ensuring that every kobo of public revenue is utilized for the benefit of the people.

At 65, Nigeria stands at a crossroads: we must either embrace justice, equity, restructuring, and genuine federalism, or continue down the path of arrested development. CEHRAWS insists that patriotism is not about ceremonial parades or rhetorical speeches on October 1st; it is about the practical enactment of constitutional principles that secure welfare, promote prosperity, and respect the independence of every tier of government.

As we mark this Independence Anniversary, CEHRAWS calls on all Nigerians to refuse to clap for discordant tunes. The masquerade of governance must remember that the dance is for the people, not for its own ego. Together, with collective vigilance and the courage to demand accountability, we can still salvage the dream of a truly united, just, and prosperous Nigeria.

Happy 65th Independence Anniversary, Nigeria!

Signed:
Okoye, Chuka Peter
Executive Director
cehraws@gmail.com | +234(0)803-552-9865.