Tinubu on Democracy Day
As the nation celebrates 27 years of uninterrupted democracy today, the fate of Nigerians in the vice grip of terrorists again came to the front burner as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu restated his firm determination to secure the country.
In a nationwide address to Nigerians, President Tinubu agonised over the children in Oyo and Borno States in captivity, submitting that “democracy without security is a mirage”.
President Tinubu, who recalled his recent declaration of state of emergency on security through recruitment of 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits, commitment of about N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 Budget, further revealed that his efforts are courting the desired gains as over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in one year.
He said, “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. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy. I salute labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers—both those who have passed and those still with us—for their patriotic contributions.
“Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is a mirage.
That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.
“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, 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. But we also keep the door of surrender open.
Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.
“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.
“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. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.”
Appraising the state of the economy, President Tinubu, who eulogised the heroes of democracy, as enshrined in June 12, 1993 election won by the candidate of the defunct Social Democratic Party, late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, noted that their sacrifices had secured political freedom, leaving the beneficiaries of the struggles to secure economic freedom.
President Tinubu declared that his tough economic policies were informed by the vision to secure enduring economic freedom for Nigerians.
He said: “June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story. We remember Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
“We also remember 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, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and the many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
“As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. 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.
“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. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.
“The reforms we are undertaking were not chosen for ease, but for necessity. Three years ago, our public finances were under severe strain, investment was discouraged, and economic uncertainty threatened our future. We chose to act, embracing reforms to advance Nigeria’s economic freedom.
“Since 2023, our reforms have restored stability and credibility to economic management. Federation revenues have risen, providing states and local governments with more resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security. Fiscal transparency has improved, leakage has been reduced, and public funds are better directed to national priorities. Investor confidence has returned, with investments in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation, and the creative industries growing.
“Domestic refining capacity has increased, strengthening energy security and reducing our reliance on imported petroleum products.
“By 2023, when we came onboard, the electricity sector was characterised by chronic generation shortfalls, an unreliable gas supply, and transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not evacuate available power. Distribution companies were burdened by massive losses and a metering deficit of over four million. Worst of all, the value chain was drowning in legacy debt. The result was a sector that generated less than the 13,500 megawatts of installed capacity, a sector that transmitted less than it generated, distributed less than it transmitted, and collected revenue far below what it needed to sustain itself.
“To address the problems besetting the sector, I signed the Electricity Act, which grants states authority to generate, transmit, and distribute power.
The Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working hard to reduce the metering deficit.
It has also been authorised to raise N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts. The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals. Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it.
“Across the country, infrastructure projects are connecting producers to markets and creating opportunities for enterprise and employment. The National Agricultural Development Fund is deploying 10,000 tractors over five years. Over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export. Non-oil exports grew by 21% last year.
“Yet, many Nigerians still 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.
“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. We believe that Democracy must be felt in the pocket.”
President Tinubu also seized the occasion of his Democracy Day national broadcast to immortalise and honour those who he believed paid the supreme price for constitutional democracy to be entrenched in the country.
Consequently, he announced the “renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology”.
President Tinubu equally conferred national awards to certain Nigerians whom he noted “suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement so that we have democracy today.”
Among those listed were current Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Oladele Alake, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC); Tunji Bello, former Secretary of National Democratic Coalition, Ayo Opadokun, veteran journalist, Richard Akinnola; Major General Ishola Williams (retd); Joe Igbokwe, Barrister Ayoka Lawani, Bola Bolawole, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin; Segun Babatope; Sir Ademola Osinubi, among others.
Further checks revealed that certain military officers convicted for alleged military coup against the military regime of General Sani Abacha also made the honours list as Tinubu described them as “soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle”.
The list included the likes of Colonel Lawa
