In a historic session at the National Assembly on June 12, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a rousing Democracy Day address that blended nostalgia with a call to action.
Speaking before lawmakers from across the country, Tinubu paid tribute to Nigeria’s democratic journey while outlining the pressing need for economic transformation, national security, and civic renewal.
June 12, now officially recognized as Democracy Day, commemorates the annulled 1993 presidential election—widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest—won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola. Tinubu, himself a product of that struggle, used the moment to reflect on how far the country has come, and how far it must still go.
“Since 1999, democracy has risen from the ashes of military rule to become the only acceptable mode of governance in our land,”
Tinubu said in a speech that blended solemn remembrance with cautious optimism. “This day belongs to all of us. In the memory of Chief M.K.O. Abiola and others who sacrificed their lives, let us recommit to the ideals of liberty, equity, and justice.”
His appearance at the National Assembly, a rare event for Nigerian presidents, underscored the symbolism of the occasion. Tinubu served as a senator during the aborted Third Republic and was a prominent pro-democracy activist during the repressive Abacha years. His address was not only presidential—it was personal.
“I am here today because some people laid down their lives and suffered for this democracy,” he said, invoking names like Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Pa Alfred Rewane, Chief Anthony Enahoro, and Gani Fawehinmi. He saluted not just those who were martyred but also the surviving veterans of the pro-democracy movement. Among those receiving national honours were Prof. Wole Soyinka, Bishop Matthew Kukah, Barrister Femi Falana, Shehu Sani, and veteran journalist Sam Amuka Pemu, who was celebrated in advance of his 90th birthday.
In one of the speech’s most significant moments, Tinubu announced presidential pardons and posthumous national honours for the late Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight other Ogoni activists executed by the Abacha regime in 1995. The decision, he said, was long overdue. “I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy for others whose names shall be announced later,” he added, signaling a broader effort at reconciliation.
The President also commended his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, for officially recognizing June 12 as Democracy Day and for posthumously declaring Abiola and his running mate Babagana Kingibe as the rightful winners of the 1993 election. Tinubu described that decision as a courageous act that restored dignity to Nigeria’s democratic narrative.
But beyond symbolic gestures, Tinubu used the occasion to address the substance of governance in contemporary Nigeria. He pushed back firmly against accusations that the All Progressives Congress (APC), his ruling party, is pursuing a one-party state through waves of high-profile defections. “At no time in the past, nor any instance in the present, and at no future juncture shall I view the notion of a one-party state as good for Nigeria,” he declared.
He referenced his time as the lone opposition governor in the Southwest during the early 2000s as evidence of his democratic convictions. “I have been a beneficiary of multi-party democracy, and I know that competition sharpens leadership,” he said. He challenged opposition parties to strengthen their internal systems instead of complaining about defections, which he described as a natural part of political evolution. “Try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you do so,” he added with characteristic bluntness.
Turning to the economy, Tinubu provided an optimistic assessment of his administration’s performance thus far. He cited a GDP growth rate of 3.4% in 2024, with the final quarter hitting 4.6%—the highest in over a decade. He also noted a gradual decline in inflation, increased foreign reserves, and a more stable exchange rate. “States now do not need to go about borrowing to pay salaries,” he said, implying greater fiscal discipline and liquidity.
He highlighted several initiatives aimed at boosting productivity and reducing poverty. The Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), he said, has extended credit to over 100,000 Nigerians, with plans to launch a new phase in July targeting 400,000 young people, especially National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. He also cited NELFUND, an educational loan and training scheme, and the rollout of a nationwide fibre-optic backbone to enhance digital connectivity.
“These are not just programs; they are the building blocks of an inclusive and resilient economy,” he said.
Tinubu called on the National Assembly to pass a new industrial policy bill, accelerate tax reform, and approve legislation aimed at revitalizing rural economies. His administration, he stressed, remains committed to achieving 7% medium-term growth and food sovereignty.
On national security, the President reported that major highways are now safer and territories previously overrun by terrorists have been reclaimed. He credited better coordination, technology, and the professionalism of the Armed Forces.
“Our military is not just defending our territory—they are preserving our democracy. They deserve our support, our respect, and our gratitude,” he said.
Throughout the speech, Tinubu struck a tone of inclusion and humility, even as he defended his government’s record. He acknowledged that the journey of democracy is neither easy nor perfect.
“Our democracy is not invincible, but it is alive. While our nation is not perfect, it is strong,” he said, urging citizens to keep faith in the process and avoid cynicism.
He ended with a spirited defence of free speech and civic engagement. “Call me names, abuse me, and I will still call upon democracy to defend your right to do so,” Tinubu said, prompting applause. He reminded lawmakers and Nigerians at large that tolerance and constructive criticism are vital to democratic health.
The President’s address came at a moment of both tension and transition. Nigeria, like many democracies around the world, faces the dual pressures of economic hardship and political polarization. Tinubu’s challenge is to consolidate the gains of democratic rule while making reforms that are both ambitious and inclusive.
In his closing remarks, Tinubu called for a national rededication to the ideals of June 12. “Let us honour this day—not just with speeches and celebrations, but with action, with justice, with inclusion,” he said. “The spirit of June 12 calls us to be bold, to be fair, and above all, to be Nigerian—united not by ethnicity or party, but by purpose.”
As the applause echoed through the National Assembly chambers, it was clear the speech had resonated—if not with every political actor, then certainly with the gravity of the moment. For Tinubu, June 12 is not just a date in history. It is a call to duty.
