In his address commemorating Nigeria’s 25th Democracy Day anniversary, President Bola Tinubu delivered a stirring message, urging Nigerians to withstand the challenges posed by his administration’s economic reforms.
He emphasized the critical role of these policies in steering the nation towards economic stability, stating:
“My fellow Nigerians, let me begin by congratulating all of us for witnessing the celebration of another Democracy Day today, the 12th day of June 2024. This year also marks our nation’s 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance… The reforms we have initiated are intended to create a stronger, better foundation for future growth. There is no doubt the reforms have occasioned hardship. Yet, they are necessary repairs required to fix the economy over the long run so that everyone has access to economic opportunity, fair pay and compensation for his endeavour and labour.”
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Tinubu paid tribute to key figures in Nigeria’s democratic struggle, acknowledging their sacrifices and contributions. He stated:
“We lost great heroes and heroines along the way. In this struggle, the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, the most significant symbol of our democratic struggle, his wife, Kudirat, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Pa Alfred Rewane, among others sacrificed their very lives… The sacrifices they made, and the precious gift brought about by their selfless devotion can never be repaid. Neither shall it be forgotten.”
While celebrating the achievements of Nigeria’s democracy, Tinubu emphasized the multifaceted nature of democratic principles, stating:
“Democracy does not assume some false or forced unity of opinion. In fact, democracy assumes that conflicting ideas and differing opinions shall be the order of the day. Given the diversity and variety of the human experience, there must be diverse perspectives and viewpoints… What democracy demands is that we do not resolve differences through force and repression. But we make allowance for the legitimacy of views that differ from our own.”
In closing, Tinubu called on Nigerians to unite in advancing the nation’s democratic journey and economic prosperity, stating:
“Together, let us move Nigeria forward… Let’s continue to keep the fire of democracy burning. Let’s keep the torch lit for generations to come.”