President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to unite in defending democracy and building prosperity, as he delivered his Democracy Day address marking 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule.
“Today, we celebrate democracy and the enduring Nigerian spirit,” he said.
“For 27 unbroken years since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers, not through violence. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it,” he added.
In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu reflected on the legacy of June 12, 1993, describing it as a defining chapter in Nigeria’s history.
“The generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” he declared.
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The president urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and political parties to ensure peaceful and credible elections in Ekiti and Osun States in the coming days. He described the National Assembly, Judiciary, Press, and Civil Society as the “guardrails of the republic,” encouraging them to criticise and disagree with him but never to stop believing in Nigeria.
Tinubu also addressed young Nigerians, saying, “Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.”
He saluted the armed forces, police, intelligence services, traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads for their sacrifices and support in sustaining peace and reconciliation.
Tinubu acknowledged the sombre mood caused by the abduction of children in Oyo and Borno States, pledging continued efforts for their safe return.
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He highlighted progress in security, noting that Nigeria has moved from training with allies to precision targeting. He said terror‑related deaths have fallen by 81% since 2015, over 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year, and 124,000 fighters and dependents surrendered under Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
“No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” he warned, urging bandits and kidnappers to surrender.
On the economy, Tinubu pointed to reforms that have restored stability and credibility since 2023. Federation revenues have risen, fiscal transparency improved, and investor confidence returned across agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, and creative industries.
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He cited increased domestic refining capacity, reforms in the electricity sector including the Electricity Act, and efforts to reduce a metering deficit of over four million. Infrastructure projects, he said, are connecting producers to markets, while non‑oil exports grew by 21% last year. The National Agricultural Development Fund is deploying 10,000 tractors over five years, and over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export.
Tinubu acknowledged that many Nigerians still face economic hardship, pledging continued focus on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, and improving living standards. He stressed that democracy must be felt in everyday life, “Democracy must be felt in the pocket.
The President announced moves to secure financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local councils, arguing that insecurity is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance. He urged unity, rejecting division and cynicism, and called on Nigerians to embrace hope and confidence in building a nation strengthened by diversity.
Tinubu also praised the resilience of Nigerians who fought for freedom and paid tribute to democracy heroes including Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Gani Fawehinmi, Bola Ige, Anthony Enahoro, Beko Ransome‑Kuti, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and others.
He announced that the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology, alongside new national honours for soldiers‑democrats of the June 12 struggle. The full honours list, he said, will be released in the coming days.
In his final remarks, the president reaffirmed Nigeria’s resilience, though the road ahead is steep, June 12 reminds the nation that Nigerians bend and bleed but do not break. He renewed the covenant that the labours of Nigeria’s heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the land.
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