Tinubu marks Democracy Day with call for unity, security, and economic renewal

Politics

Abuja, NIGERIA (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day with a sweeping national address celebrating 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule and urging citizens to defend the country’s democratic institutions while embracing reforms aimed at prosperity and security.

Delivering his speech from the Presidential Villa, Tinubu described democracy as “not perfect, but ours,” reminding Nigerians that the nation’s progress must be measured not only by political freedom but also by economic opportunity and justice.

He praised the resilience of Nigerians who “refused to surrender their faith in freedom,” and paid tribute to the heroes of June 12, 1993, including Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, and others who “endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy.”

“The greatest tribute we can pay,” Tinubu said, “is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.”

Strengthening Security and National Unity

Tinubu acknowledged the nation’s grief over the recent abductions of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno States, pledging intensified efforts to secure their safe return. He reaffirmed his administration’s security emergency, announcing the recruitment of over 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military personnel.

The President said the 2026 budget’s ₦5.41 trillion allocation to defence and security is Nigeria’s largest ever, underscoring his commitment to protecting citizens. He cited progress against insurgency, noting that ISWAP’s command centre in Arege, Borno had been degraded, terror‑related deaths had fallen by 81% since 2015, and 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year.

Tinubu also revealed that 124,000 fighters and dependents had surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023. He warned bandits and kidnappers to “surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State,” adding that “crime has no ethnicity.”

Economic Reforms and Power Sector Transformation

The President devoted a significant portion of his speech to economic recovery, saying his administration’s reforms since 2023 have restored fiscal stability and investor confidence. He highlighted growth in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, and transportation, noting that federation revenues have risen, enabling states and local governments to invest more in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Tinubu announced that domestic refining capacity has increased, reducing reliance on imported petroleum products, and that fiscal transparency has improved with reduced leakages.

He also addressed Nigeria’s chronic electricity challenges, describing how the Electricity Act now empowers states to generate and distribute power. The Presidential Power Sector Task Force, he said, is working to close the four‑million metering gap and has been authorised to raise a ₦4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts.

“Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian,” Tinubu declared. “We intend to deliver it.”

Local Governance and Renewed Hope

Tinubu reaffirmed his push for financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local councils, describing grassroots governance as essential to national stability. He said the collapse of local government administration had contributed to insecurity and underdevelopment, and that the Renewed Hope Agenda seeks to ensure every Nigerian benefits from governance.

“Every generation has a defining responsibility,” he said. “The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.”

Honours and National Recognition

In a symbolic gesture, Tinubu announced 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, honouring the late military leader’s democratic vision.

He also unveiled a list of national award recipients, including journalists, activists, and soldier‑democrats who fought for democracy. Among those honoured were Ayoka Lawani, Oladele Alake, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Major‑General Ishola Williams (rtd), and Dr Joe Okei‑Odumakin.

Tinubu said the full honours list would be released in the coming days.

A Covenant of Hope

Closing his address, Tinubu urged Nigerians to reject division and despair, declaring that the country’s diversity is its strength.

“Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break,” he said.

He called for renewed faith in the democratic covenant:

“That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land.”