FULL LIST: 10 Key Points Of Tinubu’s Democracy Day Speech
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, addressed the nation, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of unbroken democracy in Nigeria.
Nigerian migrated from the long rule of military dictatorship to civil rule in the 4th Republic, on the 29th May, 1999, when President Olusegun Obasanjo took over the reign of the country from General Abdulsalam Abubakar.
In his Wednesday’s address to the nation, President Tinubu reflected on the Nigeria’s journey from the struggles of military rule to becoming Africa’s most populous democracy.
Allnews.ng has simplified the text of the nationwide broadcast of the President as follows:
Acknowledging the heroes of democratic movement
President Tinubu pays tribute to the individuals who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s democratic struggle, including MKO Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and others.
According to the President, Nigeria 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”.
He also honoured the memories of “Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Chief Arthur Nwankwo, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Frank Kokori, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Ganiyu Dawodu, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chima Ubani”, and others who have transited to the higher realm.
Acknowledging the sacrifices of some living heroes
Tinubu praised the sacrifices of General Alani Akinrinade, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Professor Wole Soyinka, Chief Ralph Obioha, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, among many others, should never be forgotten. For at least six years, they bore the pains and difficulties of life in exile.
He said, “while the exiled pro-democracy activists kept the fire burning, their comrades at home sustained the pressure on the military brass hats. Among the latter are Olisa Agbakoba, Femi Falana, Abdul Oroh, Senator Shehu Sani, Governor Uba Sani, Chief Olu Falae, and other National Democratic Coalition leaders such as Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Ayo Opadokun”.
Roles of Activists and Journalists
Tinubu acknowledged the contributions of pro-democracy activists, journalists, and media establishments in fighting against military dictatorship.
He said Nigeria could not have won the battle against military dictatorship without the irrepressible Nigerian journalists who mounted the barricades along with the pro-democracy activists.
Democracy as a way of life
Tinubu emphasized that democracy is more than just holding elections; it is a way of life that includes freedom of speech, liberty, and peaceful transitions of power.
He stated that the nation exited the yoke of military rule in 1999 to become the most populous democracy on African soil, the beacon of democratic self-determination for the black race and one of the largest democracies in the world.
He maintained that, “this change stands as a pivotal moment in human history. From this change, we shall never turn, nor shall the annals of mankind’s progress forget the sublime meaning of this great moment”.
Commitment to Democracy
President Tinubu vowed to protect the rights, freedoms, and liberties of Nigerian citizens and pledged to cement democracy as the nation’s way of life.
He noted that, “Democracy is neither a foreign nor abstract concept devoid of real-life meaning for us. Neither can they afford to reduce or minimalise it to being nothing but the mere holding of periodic elections where one candidate and party outdo another”.
Economic Reforms
The President acknowledged the economic challenges facing Nigeria and highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at creating a stronger economic foundation for future growth.
Tinubu claimed that he understood the economic difficulties Nigerians are facing right now, saying, it is as a result of the ongoing reforms.
He said, “the country’s economy has been in desperate need of reform for decades. It has been unbalanced because it was built on the flawed foundation of over-reliance on revenues from the exploitation of oil”.
He assured that the reforms they have initiated were intended to create a stronger, better foundation for future growth.
Labour Relations
Tinubu discussed negotiations with organized labour on a new national minimum wage, emphasizing the importance of cooperation over conflict in resolving disputes.
He noted that, no one was arrested or threatened. Instead, the labour leadership was invited to break bread and negotiate toward a good-faith resolution.
Tinubu assured that the report of the Presidential Tripartite Committee on New Minimum Wage would be worked on and submitted to the National Assembly as an executive Bill.
Principled Leadership
Tinubu underscored the importance of reasoned discussion and principled compromise in democratic governance.
He insisted that he would take on this vital task without fear or favour, while committing himself to the work, until a new Nigeria where no man is oppressed, is built.
Call to Action
President Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace the challenges of the future and to continue moving forward together toward progress and prosperity.
Praising self as a Hero of Democracy
Tinubu also used the occasion to acknowledge that he was one of the heros who fought the democracy Nigeria is currently enjoying.
He said, “The true meaning of this day is not to focus solely on the great deeds of the past that have brought us to this point.
“Yes, we pay eternal honour to those who laid down their lives, sacrificing everything to pave the way for the nation.
“I stand uniquely placed in this regard. I was among those who took the risk to midwife the birth of our democracy. I am now a direct and obvious beneficiary of the fruits of those historic efforts.
“As president of this nation, I am morally and constitutionally bound to preserve this precious form of governance. I vow to do my utmost best to protect your rights, freedoms, and liberties as citizens of Nigeria”.
