The presidential candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Aare Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje, has congratulated Nigerians on the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, saying the occasion calls for both celebration and sober reflection.
In his Independence Day message, issued on Wednesday, Omo-Aje said October 1 remains a defining moment in Nigeria’s history, when the Union Jack was lowered and the Green-White-Green was hoisted in 1960 after decades of nationalist struggle.
He recalled the sacrifices of the founding fathers, including Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Herbert Macaulay, and other heroes who fought with courage, intellect, and unity to free Nigeria from colonial rule.
According to him, the founding fathers, despite their differences in tribe and ideology, were united by a common dream of a free, just, and prosperous Nigeria where every citizen would have a sense of belonging.
The AA presidential candidate said that, 66 years after independence, the dream must be kept alive by present-day leaders and citizens, who have a duty to build a nation worthy of the sacrifices of past heroes.
Omo-Aje also congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Cabinet for piloting the affairs of the nation at a challenging time, commending the president’s courage and efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that the administration has made bold decisions aimed at repositioning the economy, strengthening national stability, and restoring confidence in governance, and deserves the support of all well-meaning Nigerians.
However, he said the anniversary should also be a moment for sober reflection on the state of the nation, particularly the economy, security, and stability, which directly affect the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
He lamented that many Nigerians continue to grapple with economic hardship, a rising cost of living, poverty, and unemployment, stressing that independence will only be meaningful when it translates into food on the table and the dignity of labor.
On security, Omo-Aje said the farmer in Benue, the trader in Kano, and the student in Kaduna must be able to live and work without fear, adding that peace and stability are prerequisites for development.
He stressed that the North’s diversity should be a strength, not a source of division, noting that the region’s cultural and religious plurality must be harnessed as a tool for unity and progress rather than as a weapon for disunity.
Omo-Aje further declared that Nigeria belongs to all of us; hence, the poor should also breathe the air of freedom from poverty. He insisted that true independence must guarantee economic freedom for the commoner.
He called on leaders at all levels to remember that leadership is a sacred trust and to place the common good above personal interests while managing the nation’s resources.
The Action Alliance candidate urged Nigerians not to lose hope, but to remain patriotic, law-abiding, and committed to building a nation where justice, equity, and prosperity reign.
He prayed for peace, unity, and prosperity for Nigeria, and for wisdom for President Tinubu and all leaders as they navigate the country through its present challenges toward a better future.
