Former House Of Assembly Candidate In Imo State, Hon. Ononiwu Moses, has called for reforms in Nigeria’s democratic process and urged citizens to elect credible leaders in the 2027 general elections.
Moses made the call while addressing youths in his hometown as part of activities marking Democracy Day.
He said that although Nigeria has sustained democratic governance for more than three decades, many citizens are yet to fully enjoy the benefits of democracy.
According to him, the June 12 struggle remains a reminder that political power belongs to the people and should be exercised in the interest of the masses.
The APC chieftain noted that the transition to civil rule in 1999 raised expectations of inclusion, justice and national development, but lamented that corruption and poor governance have continued to undermine public confidence in the democratic system.
He expressed concern over what he described as the concentration of the nation’s wealth in the hands of a few individuals while many citizens continue to face poverty, insecurity and inadequate infrastructure.
Moses called for a moral and structural reorientation of the political system, stressing the need for accountability, adherence to the rule of law and equitable governance.
He urged political leaders to uphold the principles of justice and inclusion, adding that democratic values must be reflected in policies and programmes that directly impact citizens.
Speaking on the 2027 general elections, he described the polls as an opportunity for Nigerians to demand integrity and competence in leadership.
Moses advised voters to support leaders with clear visions for national development, noting that leadership should be viewed as a responsibility to serve the people rather than a means of personal gain.
He further urged Nigerians to make informed electoral choices, expressing optimism that the country’s democratic system can be strengthened through active citizen participation and accountable leadership.
According to him, “To move forward, Nigeria must be “sanitized.” This sanitization is not a call for chaos, but a call for a deep, moral, and structural cleansing of our political culture. It requires an uncompromising commitment to the rule of law, where no individual is too powerful to be held accountable.
It demands that the values of inclusion and justice, the very soul of June 12, be moved from political speeches into the daily lives of every Nigerian, regardless of their ethnic or religious background.
“The ultimate opportunity for this sanitization lies in the upcoming 2027 general elections. We are often told that we get the leadership we deserve, but 2027 offers a chance to prove that we deserve better. It is a time for the “collective hope” of the people to be translated into a decisive demand for integrity.
“Choosing a good leader is not just about choosing a “lesser evil”; it is about identifying visionaries who understand that leadership is a burden of service, not a trophy of conquest.
“As we celebrate over thirty years of remaining a democracy, let us remember that the journey is far from over. The resilience of the Nigerian spirit has kept the country together, but resilience alone will not fix the roads, power the industry, or feed the hungry. Only a government truly “of the people” can do that. As 2027 approaches, let it be the year the people reclaim their democracy from the hands of the few and return it to the hearts of the many. Our progress as a nation is rooted in our choices; let us choose wisely.”