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Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu delivered a wide-ranging Democracy Day address, urging Nigerians to defend the country’s democratic gains while working to ensure economic prosperity for all.
“We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.” Tinubu noted, reflecting on 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999.
Highlighting upcoming elections in Ekiti and Osun States, he called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and political parties to ensure peaceful and credible polls, warning that “democracy fails when citizens doubt the process.”
He commended the judiciary, the press, and civil society as “the guardrails of our republic” and encouraged Nigerians to engage actively in nation-building.
Tinubu also addressed the nation’s youth, urging them to “build here, code here, work here, and vote here,” framing their participation as essential to Nigeria’s future.
He thanked security forces, traditional leaders, faith leaders, and community heads for their role in maintaining peace, emphasising that government alone cannot safeguard democracy.
Citing efforts against terrorism and banditry, Tinubu highlighted achievements such as degrading ISWAP’s command centre in Arege, Borno State, and reducing terror-related deaths by 81% since 2015. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
On economic reforms, Tinubu described strides in stabilising public finances, expanding domestic energy production, boosting non-oil exports by 21%, and enhancing infrastructure and agriculture.
Concluding his address, Tinubu paid tribute to past heroes of democracy, including Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and called on the nation to continue building a Nigeria united by opportunity, justice, and freedom.
