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President Bola Tinubu has said democracy is sustained by strong political institutions, grassroots participation and committed party structures, rather than “noise or borrowed platforms.”
He made the remarks on Saturday shortly after voting in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in Ikoyi, Lagos, alongside his wife, Oluremi Tinubu.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Tinubu said democratic governance depends on active citizen engagement and enduring political institutions.
Today, I participated in the APC Presidential Direct Primary at my ward in Ikoyi, Lagos, alongside my dear wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON.
Democracy is not sustained by noise, speculation, or borrowed platforms. It is sustained by citizens who show up, party members who… pic.twitter.com/kFGzEbLjcM
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) May 23, 2026
He stressed that democracy only works when people participate meaningfully in the political process and when institutions remain stable and trusted.
“Democracy is not sustained by noise, speculation, or borrowed platforms,” Tinubu said.
“It is sustained by citizens who show up, party members who believe, institutions that endure, the grassroots, and a political family rooted in the people.”
He added that the APC’s strength has come from internal democracy, organisation and deep grassroots structures across the country.
According to him, while some political actors operate around grievances, his party is focused on structure, service delivery and nation-building.
“Others may gather around grievances. We gather around structure, service, and the work of nation-building,” he said.
Tinubu said the APC would continue to strengthen democratic values and work toward national development.
He is widely expected to emerge as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election following endorsements from the Progressives Governors Forum.
The forum’s chairman, Hope Uzodimma, had earlier said APC governors supported Tinubu’s bid for a second term, describing him as the party’s preferred flagbearer for 2027.
