Ambassador Emeni Ibe, JP, AP, President General of the Orashi National Congress (ONC) and National President of the Southern Youths Foundation of Nigeria (SYF), has charged Nigerians on civic responsibility in a message to mark the 2026 Democracy Day.
In the statement titled, “DEMOCRACY IS NOT A GIFT, IT IS A RESPONSIBILITY,” Amb. Ibe said Democracy Day is “when we celebrate the sacrifices of our heroes past in the enthronement and sustenance of democracy in our country.
He noted that “for us democracy has in the last 27 years, since 1999, impacted us in different ways. It carried both promise and pain, sometimes in the same election cycle”.
“Democracy is the only system where everyone has just one vote, one voice and one stake. Democracy is not perfect but it remains the best form of government,” Amb. Ibe stated.
“On a day like this, we only need to remind ourselves that power belongs to the people. It is a day to remind us that we need to build our nation ourselves.”
“Our heroes of democracy fought for it so that we and our children can live freely, vote without fear, speak without threat, and build without being inhibited,” he said.
Amb. Ibe acknowledged public sentiment, saying: “Today, the disappointments and weariness in our people’s voices are loud and I understand it. My answer, and I hope yours too, is not to walk away but to reclaim what belongs to us.”
He added: “Our forebears fought for it and we must not trade that inheritance for division. We have the responsibility to protect and preserve our nation and the democracy.”
“The Orashi region sits on enormous wealth. Our waterways, our blue economy, our brilliant and restless young people who deserve better.”
“Democracy becomes real when the right to choose, the right to demand accountability, and the right to know are guaranteed,” Amb. Ibe said.
He concluded: “On this day, I urge us not to give up but to renew our faith in the unity and progres. We will disagree without violence, we will compete without hate, we will protect ourselves, our people, our unity, our wealth and our future.”
“Happy Democracy Day. God bless Orashi region and Southern Nigeria. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria! Amb. Emeni Ibe concluded.