President Bola Tinubu on Friday, June 12, has urged the media, civil society organisations, the judiciary and other democratic institutions to continue holding leaders accountable while maintaining confidence in Nigeria, declaring that criticism is welcome in a democracy but faith in the nation must never be abandoned.
Tinubu said this in his Democracy Day address to mark June 12, appealing to major institutions of the republic to remain committed to protecting democracy and strengthening national unity.
While addressing the National Assembly, judiciary, media and civil society groups, the President said:
“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.”
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The statement is one of the main messages of his address as Nigeria commemorated Democracy Day and reflected on 27 years of civilian rule since the return to democratic governance in 1999.
Tinubu said democracy remains one of the country’s greatest achievements, noting that Nigerians have consistently chosen their leaders through elections and resolved political disagreements through constitutional means rather than violence.
“Today, we celebrate democracy and the enduring Nigerian spirit. 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,” he said.
While acknowledging that Nigeria’s democratic system is not without challenges, Tinubu stressed the need to preserve and improve it.
“Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it,” he said.
Tinubu also urged stakeholders to ensure credible elections in Ekiti and Osun states in the coming days. He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and political parties to uphold public confidence in the electoral process.
“I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process,” he stated.
Additionally, Tinubu spoke directly to young Nigerians, encouraging them to play active roles in shaping the country’s future rather than losing hope.
“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 maintained.
Apart from this, his message focused on national unity at a time when Nigeria continues to face security and economic challenges. He called on citizens to work together and avoid divisions that could weaken the country.
“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.”
Going further, he said, “We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.”
He also paid tribute to the men and women who fought for democracy, saying their sacrifices laid the foundation for the freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.
“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.”
Tinubu acknowledged economic hardship across the country, but expressed confidence that ongoing reforms would produce long term benefits.
“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.”
As he concluded his Democracy Day message, Tinubu called on Nigerians to remain hopeful and united despite the country’s challenges.
“Let us move forward together, rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence,” he said.
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