PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day with a stirring tribute to the heroes of the June 12 struggle, honouring late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists, labour leaders and soldier-democrats whose sacrifices helped secure democratic governance in Nigeria.
News Point Nigeria reports that in a nationwide Democracy Day address, Tinubu also announced a fresh list of national honours for several Nigerians who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, harassment and other hardships during the struggle against military rule, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening democracy, security and economic prosperity.
The President described June 12 as a sacred date in Nigeria’s national history, noting that for 27 uninterrupted years since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have continued to choose their leaders through the ballot box, witness peaceful transfers of power and resolve political disputes through democratic institutions rather than violence.
According to him, although Nigeria’s democracy remains imperfect, it belongs to Nigerians and must continue to be defended and strengthened.
Tinubu also looked ahead to the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and political parties to ensure peaceful, transparent and credible polls.
“Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process,” he said.
The President called on the National Assembly, the Judiciary, the media and civil society organisations to continue playing their roles as guardians of the republic.
“To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria,” he stated.
Addressing young Nigerians, Tinubu urged them to build their future in the country rather than lose faith in its potential.
“To our young people: 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 said.
He also commended members of the Armed Forces, police, intelligence agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community heads for their contributions to peace, security and national cohesion.
While acknowledging that this year’s Democracy Day celebrations were overshadowed by the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states, Tinubu expressed optimism that the victims would be rescued safely.
He stressed that democracy cannot thrive without security and highlighted efforts by his administration to strengthen national security through increased recruitment and funding.
According to the President, the government has approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel, while allocating N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget — the highest security allocation in Nigeria’s history.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s security strategy had evolved from training exercises with allies such as the United States and France to precision-targeted operations against insurgents and terrorists.
He cited the military operation in Arege, Borno State, where ISWAP’s command centre was reportedly degraded, while noting that terror-related deaths have declined significantly since 2015.
The President added that over 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised within the last year, while more than 124,000 fighters and their dependants had surrendered under Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
He issued a stern warning to bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” he declared.
Tinubu urged Nigerians not to ethnicise criminality, insisting that the fight against insecurity requires national unity.
“Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history.”
The President devoted a significant portion of his speech to honouring the heroes and heroines of the June 12 democratic struggle.
He paid tribute to Chief M.K.O. Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, describing him as a symbol of national unity whose mandate transcended ethnic and religious divides.
Tinubu also honoured Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and other prominent figures of the pro-democracy movement, including Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani and General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
He said their sacrifices laid the foundation for the freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.
“As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought,” Tinubu stated.
“The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.”
The President said while June 12 secured political freedom, the responsibility of the current generation is to secure economic freedom for Nigerians.
According to him, democracy must ultimately be reflected in improved living standards, opportunities for young people, prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs and dignified livelihoods for workers.
Tinubu defended his administration’s economic reforms, arguing that they were necessary to rescue public finances, restore investor confidence and stabilise the economy.
He said federation revenues had increased since 2023, providing states and local governments with greater resources for infrastructure, healthcare, education and security.
The President added that fiscal transparency had improved, leakages had reduced and investments were growing across agriculture, energy, manufacturing, mining, transportation, technology and the creative sector.
He further noted that domestic refining capacity had expanded, helping to strengthen Nigeria’s energy security and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
Tinubu described the power sector he inherited in 2023 as one plagued by generation shortfalls, weak transmission infrastructure, inadequate gas supply, massive losses by distribution companies, a metering deficit exceeding four million and crippling legacy debts.
To address those challenges, he said he signed the Electricity Act, empowering states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity independently.
He disclosed that the Presidential Power Sector Task Force had been authorised to raise a N4 trillion bond to clear verified legacy debts, while the Rural Electrification Agency, with support from the World Bank and African Development Bank, had expanded mini-grid and off-grid electricity projects in communities, universities, hospitals and markets.
“Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it,” he said.
Tinubu highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects across the country, saying they were helping connect producers to markets while creating jobs and opportunities.
He announced that the National Agricultural Development Fund would deploy 10,000 tractors over five years and revealed that more than 1,000 small and medium-scale enterprises had been certified for exports.
According to him, non-oil exports grew by 21 per cent in the last year.
Despite those gains, the President acknowledged that many Nigerians still face economic hardship and pledged continued efforts to curb inflation, increase food production, create jobs and improve living standards.
“We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region,” he said.
Tinubu also reiterated his administration’s support for financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local government councils, arguing that weak grassroots governance had contributed significantly to insecurity and underdevelopment.
Among the major announcements in the address was the Federal Government’s approval for the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna.
The institution will now be known as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology, in honour of the late military officer and pro-democracy advocate.
Tinubu described Yar’Adua as one of the principal architects of modern democratic Nigeria whose vision helped shape the country’s democratic evolution.
The President also announced national honours for dozens of Nigerians who participated in the democratic struggle.
Those recognised include Barrister Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Sir Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Barrister Osa Director, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous), Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Barrister Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous), George Mbah, Dr Niran Malaolu, Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.
Tinubu further honoured several soldier-democrats who played significant roles during the June 12 struggle, including Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Colonel Musa Shehu, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Colonel Isa Jibrin, Major General Joseph Oshanupin, Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba, Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Colonel J. Okai, Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe.
The President said the full honours list would be released in the coming days.
Concluding his address, Tinubu reflected on the resilience of the Nigerian people and the significance of the democratic journey that began with the June 12 struggle.
“Twenty-seven years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity sustains our democracy,” he said.
“The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.”
He urged citizens to renew their commitment to the ideals of democracy and national unity.
“Let us renew our 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.”
The President ended the address with prayers for the heroes of democracy and for the continued peace and progress of Nigeria.
“May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to bless us all. Happy Democracy Day.”