Democracy Day: Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment To Security, Economic Reforms, Honours June 12 Heroes

ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday used Nigeria’s 2026 Democracy Day celebration to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, tackling insecurity, and advancing economic reforms aimed at securing prosperity for Nigerians.

In a nationwide address marking 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule since 1999, Tinubu described democracy as an enduring achievement that Nigerians must continue to protect and deepen.

The President called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and political parties to ensure peaceful and credible elections in Ekiti and Osun states, stressing that public confidence in the electoral process remains vital to democratic stability.

Addressing the nation’s security challenges, Tinubu expressed concern over the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states but assured Nigerians that efforts were being intensified to secure their release and combat criminal activities across the country.

He revealed that the Federal Government had declared a security emergency, approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel, and allocated a record ₦5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget.

According to the President, military operations have significantly weakened terrorist groups, including the destruction of an ISWAP command centre in Arege, Borno State. He stated that terror-related deaths had declined by 81 per cent since 2015, while more than 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year.

Tinubu also disclosed that over 124,000 fighters and their dependants had surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023, while warning bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism to either surrender or face the full force of the law.

Reflecting on the significance of June 12, the President paid tribute to the heroes of the pro-democracy struggle, including Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and several others who sacrificed for the nation’s democratic journey.

On the economy, Tinubu defended the reforms introduced since 2023, saying they were necessary to restore fiscal stability and investor confidence. He noted that federation revenues had increased, transparency in public finance had improved, and investments were growing across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, technology, energy, transportation, mining and the creative industry.

The President highlighted progress in the energy sector, including increased domestic refining capacity and reforms aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in electricity generation, transmission and distribution. He cited the Electricity Act, expansion of off-grid power projects and plans to raise a ₦4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts in the power sector.

Tinubu also pointed to efforts to boost agricultural productivity through the deployment of 10,000 tractors over five years and reported that non-oil exports grew by 21 per cent in the last year.

Despite these gains, he acknowledged the economic hardship facing many Nigerians and pledged continued efforts to reduce inflation, increase food production, create jobs and improve living standards.

The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to local government autonomy, describing effective grassroots governance as essential to addressing insecurity and delivering development.

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As part of the Democracy Day celebrations, Tinubu announced the Federal Government’s approval of the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology, in honour of the late military officer and democracy advocate.

A major highlight of the address was the announcement of national honours for dozens of Nigerians who played significant roles in the struggle for democracy. Tinubu said the recipients endured persecution, incarceration, exile and other hardships in defence of democratic rule.

Among those recognised were Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran, Ayo Opadokun, Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Osa Director, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, George Mbah, Dr Niran Malaolu, Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.

The President also honoured Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi posthumously for their contributions to the pro-democracy movement.

Tinubu further recognised a group of military officers he described as “soldier-democrats” for their roles in the June 12 struggle. Those honoured include Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Colonel Musa Shehu, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Colonel Isa Jibrin, Major General Joseph Oshanupin, Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba, Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Colonel J. Okai, Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe.

He disclosed that the full honours list and categories of awards would be released in the coming days.

Concluding his address, Tinubu urged Nigerians to reject division and despair, embrace unity and hope, and work collectively towards securing prosperity for future generations.

“June 12 reminds us that Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break,” the President said. “Our generation must secure prosperity.”

He added that the greatest tribute to the heroes of democracy would be to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunities are expanded and government remains accountable to the people.