Democracy Day: Tinubu hails 27 years of uninterrupted democracy
… vows to defeat terrorism, tackle hardship
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening democracy, improving security and delivering economic prosperity to Nigerians.
In his nationwide Democracy Day address on Friday, Tinubu celebrated Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, describing it as the longest period of civilian governance in the nation’s history.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to continue defending democratic institutions and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and political parties to ensure peaceful and credible elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
He said, “In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process.”
Addressing the country’s security challenges assured Nigerians that his administration remains determined to end terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel.
According to him, the 2026 budget earmarked N5.41 trillion for defence and security, the highest allocation in Nigeria’s history. He noted that security forces had intensified operations against insurgents, leading to significant gains against terrorist groups.
Tinubu revealed that terrorist-related deaths had declined by 81 per cent since 2015, while over 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year.
He added that more than 124,000 fighters and their dependants had surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
Tinubu expressed concern over the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states, assuring citizens that efforts were ongoing to secure their release.
According to him “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 not solid enough.”
Speaking on power sector reforms, Tinubu highlighted the implementation of the Electricity Act, which grants states greater authority in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
He disclosed that the Presidential Power Sector Task Force had been authorised to raise a N4 trillion bond to clear verified legacy debts in the sector.
The President said the Rural Electrification Agency, with support from international development partners, had expanded off-grid and mini-grid power projects to underserved communities, markets, hospitals, and educational institutions.
“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 ever.” he said
However, speaking on the economic hardship facing many Nigerians, Tinubu pledged that his administration would continue efforts to reduce inflation, boost food production, create jobs, and improve living standards.
He stressed that democracy must translate into tangible benefits for citizens, declaring that “democracy must be felt in the pocket.”
Tinubu honoured the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, and several pro-democracy activists whose sacrifices contributed to the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria.
He called on Nigerians to reject division and embrace unity, expressing confidence that the nation would continue to advance under democratic rule.