The African Democratic Congress(ADC) presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has lauded Nigeria’s heroes who died while defending the nation’s integrity.

In a statement to commemorate Nigeria’s 62nd independence anniversary, Mr Kachikwu said those in the field defending our freedoms and way of life must also be celebrated.

“For over a decade, our nation has been at war and more often than not, we forget the heroic sacrifices made daily by our men and women in uniform.

“The second group are the Nigerian masses who are suffering in silence. They stay silent so that we may have peace. They suffer untold hardships as our economy gets worse, as job opportunities disappear, as our security situation worsens and as food prices escalate.

“These two sets of people are the true heroes of our nation. They maintain the silence of the grave in the face of hardship,” he said.

Mr Kachikwu said as Nigeria approached the 2023 general election, it was necessary to remember these two sets of people and ensure conversations never depart from them.

He said that the Independence Day anniversary should also be used to remember the sacrifices made by the nation’s forefathers for Nigeria to be free from colonial rule.

“We must remember those who died on both sides of the Nigerian Civil War that our nation may remain united.

“We must remember the poor masses who mostly live on one meal a day. We must remember our troops who are fighting a difficult war.

“If we do this, the silent majority will become the vocal majority and apathy to Nigeria and politics would no longer be an option,” he said.

Mr Kachikwu cautioned Nigerians against trading their votes in the 2023 general election for material things such as money, wrappers, T-shirts, face caps and food.

He also advised Nigerians against being used by politicians and political parties as instruments to campaign unjustly by constituting false crowds, supporters and followers.

He said Nigerians needed to change the narratives and stay true to a just course of the only campaign for the right candidate with a clear vision to rescue and restore the country.

“Nigeria needs Nigerians, our troops need Nigerians’ support, millions of poor Nigerians need Nigerians’ voice and their vote to rescue and save our country,” he added.

(NAN)