President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marked Nigeria’s 27th year of unbroken civilian rule on Democracy Day, calling on Nigerians to defend democracy while announcing new security measures, economic reforms, and national honours for June 12 activists.
In a nationwide address Friday, Tinubu said since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen leaders by ballot, witnessed peaceful power transitions, and resolved disputes in courts — “not through violence.” He described it as the longest stretch of civilian rule in Nigeria’s history.
“Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it,” the President said.
Elections, institutions, youth
With Ekiti and Osun elections coming up, Tinubu urged INEC, security agencies, and political parties to ensure the polls are peaceful and credible. “Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process,” he warned.
He called the National Assembly, Judiciary, Press, and Civil Society the “guardrails of our republic,” telling critics: “Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.”
To young Nigerians, he said: “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.”
Security: Emergency declared, 50,000+ police recruits approved
Acknowledging the abduction of children in Oyo and Borno, Tinubu said “democracy without security is not solid enough.” He announced a security emergency and approval for over 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits.
The 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion — the largest ever — to defence and security. He said terror-related deaths are down 81% since 2015, with 13,000+ terrorists neutralized in the past year. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” he warned.
*June 12: Honouring Abiola and other heroes*
Tinubu said June 12 represents “a defining chapter” in Nigeria’s story, remembering Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Bola Ige, Alfred Rewane, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and others.
In their honour, he approved renaming the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the _General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology_.
He also announced national awards for 30+ Nigerians who “suffered persecution, exile, incarceration, and solitary confinement” for democracy, including Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Joe Okei-Odumakin, and others. The full honours list will be released in the coming days. Soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle were also recognized.
Economy: “Democracy must be felt in the pocket”
The President defended ongoing reforms, saying they were “not chosen for ease, but for necessity.” Since 2023, he said federation revenues have risen, fiscal transparency improved, and investor confidence returned in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, tech, mining, and creative industries. Non-oil exports grew 21% last year.
On power, Tinubu signed the Electricity Act granting states authority to generate, transmit, and distribute power. A N4 trillion bond was approved to settle legacy debts, while the Rural Electrification Agency is deploying off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals.
“We intend to deliver electricity as a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian,” he said.
Other projects include 10,000 tractors over 5 years via the National Agricultural Development Fund and infrastructure linking producers to markets. He admitted many Nigerians still face hardship but pledged focus on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, and rebuilding confidence.
Local government autonomy
Tinubu said his administration is pursuing financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local councils, calling ineffective grassroots governance “a fundamental challenge” and part of the reason for insecurity. “The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance,” he added.
Closing message
“Our generation must secure prosperity,” Tinubu said. “Let us move forward together — rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence.”
“June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.”
He concluded: “May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
_Happy Democracy Day._
