The People’s Democratic party Governorship Candidate in Taraba state, Senator Emmanuel E. Bwacha, has called on Nigerians to renew their commitment to building a united, peaceful and prosperous nation, saying the country’s challenges should not become the limits of its aspirations.
Bwacha made the call in his Independence Day address to Nigerians and Tarabans on Thursday, October 1, 2026, titled “A More Perfect Union: For a Greater, Prosperous Nation.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s 66 years of independence, Bwacha said the country had passed through major challenges, including coups, civil war, military rule, economic difficulties and insecurity, but had continued to endure.
He said Nigeria’s resilience demonstrated the determination of its people to build a nation capable of fulfilling its potential.
According to him, the vision of Nigeria as a united, prosperous and democratic nation remains unfinished and requires collective efforts to realise.
Bwacha also acknowledged the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the measures were aimed at addressing longstanding structural weaknesses and placing the economy on a more sustainable footing.
He noted that while the reforms had required difficult adjustments, the priority should now be to translate greater economic stability into investment, production, employment and improved prosperity for ordinary Nigerians.
The former senator stressed that meaningful economic transformation should be viewed beyond immediate results, arguing that sustainable reforms should strengthen institutions, encourage enterprise, attract investment and create opportunities for future generations.
On insecurity, Bwacha expressed concern over communities displaced from their ancestral homes, farms abandoned and schools and livelihoods disrupted.
He called for sustained efforts to restore security and enable internally displaced persons to return to their communities.
“A nation is not truly whole until its people can return home without fear,” he said.
Bwacha added that peace must go beyond ending violence to include the restoration of livelihoods, dignity and confidence among affected communities.
Speaking on Taraba State, he described its ethnic and cultural diversity as a source of strength rather than division, saying the state reflects the broader character of Nigeria as a country of diverse peoples and histories sharing a common future.
He identified farmers, teachers, entrepreneurs and young Nigerians as among the country’s greatest assets, urging citizens to believe in the capacity of Nigerians to transform the nation.
Bwacha said Nigeria should not be expected to become perfect but should continually learn, adapt and strengthen its institutions while protecting its future.
“We inherited Nigeria from those who came before us. We are its custodians today. And we owe the next generation a nation of greater possibility than the one we received,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to approach the future with courage, faith and renewed commitment to nation-building.
“Independence gave us sovereignty. Nationhood gives us responsibility,” Bwacha declared.
He concluded by describing Nigeria’s story as unfinished, saying that its unfinished nature provided grounds for hope and collective action toward building “a more perfect union.”
Bwacha, who is the Taraba State PDP governorship candidate, wished Nigerians and Tarabans a happy Independence Day and prayed for God’s blessings upon the people and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
