President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday delivered a sweeping Democracy Day address, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to security, economic reforms, grassroots governance, and democratic consolidation as Nigeria marks 27 uninterrupted years of civilian rule.
Speaking during the June 12 Democracy Day celebration, the President described Nigeria’s democratic journey as imperfect but resilient, stressing that the nation must continue to defend and deepen democratic institutions.
“Democracy must be felt in the pocket,” Tinubu declared, while acknowledging the economic hardship facing millions of Nigerians.
Tinubu Calls for Peaceful Ekiti, Osun Elections
Ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, Tinubu urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, and security agencies to ensure credible and peaceful polls.
“Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process,” the President stated.
He also appealed to the National Assembly, the judiciary, civil society organisations, and the media to remain steadfast in safeguarding democracy.
“To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria,” he said.
Message to Nigerian Youths
Addressing Nigerian youths, Tinubu urged them to remain hopeful and contribute actively to national development rather than seeking opportunities abroad.
“Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here,” he said.
Security: ‘No Mercy for Terrorists’
The President said the current security challenges, including the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states, underscored the need for stronger national security efforts.
Tinubu disclosed that his administration had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of over 50,000 police officers alongside thousands of military personnel.
He revealed that the 2026 budget allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security — the largest security allocation in Nigeria’s history.
According to him, security operations had intensified with improved precision targeting and enhanced international cooperation involving the United States, France, and other allies.
Tinubu stated that Nigerian forces successfully degraded the command structure of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Arege, Borno State.
He further claimed that terror-related deaths had reduced by 81 per cent since 2015, while over 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year.
The President also disclosed that more than 124,000 fighters and their dependents had surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State,” Tinubu warned.
Tribute to June 12 Heroes
Tinubu paid glowing tribute to key figures of the June 12 struggle, including late business mogul and presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, as well as Kudirat Abiola, Gani Fawehinmi, Bola Ige, Alfred Rewane, Abraham Adesanya, Anthony Enahoro, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
He said their sacrifices secured the freedoms Nigerians currently enjoy and challenged citizens to protect democratic values.
“The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable,” he stated.
Economic Reforms and Power Sector Plans
Defending his administration’s economic reforms, Tinubu argued that the measures were necessary to stabilise Nigeria’s economy and restore investor confidence.
He said federation revenues had increased while fiscal leakages were being reduced through improved transparency.
The President highlighted increased investments across agriculture, energy, mining, technology, manufacturing, transportation, and creative industries.
On the power sector, Tinubu blamed years of weak generation, poor transmission infrastructure, metering deficits, and legacy debts for Nigeria’s electricity crisis.
He noted that the Electricity Act signed by his administration now empowers states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity independently.
The President also announced plans to raise a N4 trillion bond to settle legacy debts in the power sector, while rural electrification programmes supported by the World Bank and African Development Bank continue to expand off-grid electricity supply.
“Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it,” he said.
Local Government Autonomy and National Prosperity
Tinubu said his administration was pursuing financial autonomy for the country’s 774 local government councils to strengthen grassroots governance and improve service delivery.
According to him, weak local administration contributed significantly to insecurity and underdevelopment across the country.
“Our generation must secure prosperity,” the President declared.
National Honours for Democracy Activists
The President announced that several pro-democracy activists, journalists, lawyers, political figures, and military officers involved in the June 12 struggle would receive national honours.
Among those named were Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, Niran Malaolu, Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd), Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, and others.
Tinubu also announced that the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna would be revitalised and renamed after late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
‘Nigerians Do Not Break’
Concluding the address, Tinubu said Nigeria’s diversity had become a pillar sustaining democracy rather than a source of division.
“The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break,” he said.
The President urged Nigerians to reject division and despair while embracing unity, hope, and collective responsibility toward building a prosperous nation.
