President Bola Tinubu says he is open to criticisms of his administration’s policies and projects.
He spoke in his nationwide broadcast on Friday to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey since the return to civilian rule in 1999, the president noted that the country has recorded unbroken years of democratic governance despite challenges.
“Today, we celebrate not only democracy but also the enduring Nigerian spirit,” he said.
“For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence.
“Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.
“Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. 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.”
The president also paid tribute to pro-democracy figures and Nigerians who fought for democratic rule.
“Today, we honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom, and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation,” Tinubu said.
“We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy.”
Speaking on insecurity, Tinubu acknowledged concerns over the abduction of children in Oyo and Borno states but expressed optimism that they would return safely.
“Democracy without security is a mirage,” he said, adding that his administration had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of over 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel.
According to him, the 2026 budget allocates N5.41 trillion to defence and security, the largest security allocation in the country’s history.
Tinubu said security operations had recorded gains, noting that Nigeria has made the shift from military training partnerships to precision targeting.
“In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year,” he said.
The president added that government would continue to encourage surrender while maintaining pressure on armed groups.
“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 said.
“At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history.”
The president described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history and honoured figures who played key roles in the struggle for democratic governance.
“June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom,” he said.
Tinubu also defended his administration’s economic reforms, saying they were necessary to stabilise public finances and restore investor confidence.
He highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects, agricultural interventions and export initiatives, but admitted that most Nigerians continued to face economic hardship.
“We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding confidence in our economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity,” he said.
The president also linked local government autonomy to improved governance and national development.
“Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to embrace unity and collective responsibility in building the country.
“Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence — the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” Tinubu said.
“Let us move forward together — rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence.”
Tinubu was sworn in on May 29, 2023 as Nigeria’s 16th president, succeeding former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In his Democracy Day speech, the president also conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians who were key figures in the pro-democracy struggle.
TheCable
