By Uche Amunike
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, through his Democracy Day speech, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening democracy, improving national security, and sustaining economic reforms aimed at delivering prosperity to Nigerians.
Addressing the nation on Thursday as Nigeria marked Democracy Day, the President celebrated what he termed 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, describing it as the longest period of civilian rule in the country’s history.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting democratic institutions and called on stakeholders to ensure peaceful, free, and credible elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
A major highlight of the Tinubu Democracy Day speech was the President’s tribute to the heroes of the June 12 struggle. He honoured the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, as well as numerous activists, journalists, labour leaders, and pro-democracy advocates whose sacrifices paved the way for Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.
Tinubu stressed that preserving democracy requires collective responsibility and urged citizens, civil society groups, the media, the judiciary, and the National Assembly to remain committed to protecting democratic values and strengthening public institutions.
The President also addressed the country’s security situation, acknowledging public concerns over persistent insecurity and recent cases of abduction in parts of the country. He disclosed that his administration had declared a security emergency, recruited more than 50,000 police officers, and committed a record N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget.
According to him, the government’s security efforts have produced notable results. He also stated that terror-related deaths have significantly declined, while thousands of terrorists have been neutralised through intensified military operations. He also revealed that more than 124,000 former fighters and their dependents have surrendered through the government’s deradicalisation and reintegration initiatives.
In the Tinubu Democracy Day speech, the President warned terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, and their sponsors to abandon criminal activities or face the full weight of the law. He assured Nigerians that the government remains determined to restore peace and security across the country.
On the economy, Tinubu defended the reforms introduced since he assumed office in 2023, describing them as necessary measures to stabilise public finances and lay the foundation for long-term growth. He noted that the reforms have improved government revenues, enhanced fiscal transparency, attracted investments, and strengthened domestic refining capacity.
The President also highlighted progress in the power sector, including efforts to reduce the metering deficit, expand electricity access, and improve energy infrastructure. He further pointed to initiatives supporting agriculture, small businesses, non-oil exports, and job creation as part of broader efforts to stimulate economic growth.
While acknowledging that many Nigerians continue to face economic hardship, Tinubu assured citizens that his administration remains focused on reducing inflation, improving living standards, and ensuring that the benefits of economic reforms are felt across all regions of the country.
The Tinubu Democracy Day speech also featured the announcement of national honours for several pro-democracy activists and supporters of the June 12 movement. The President concluded by urging Nigerians to embrace unity, hope, and patriotism, expressing confidence that the nation would overcome its challenges and achieve greater prosperity in the years ahead.
