President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian citizens to own democracy because of the role it plays in their lives and in sustaining the dignity of the country.
The President advised during the Public Lecture Commemorating Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Anniversary, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
President Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the gains of democracy cannot be overemphasised, thus the need for all citizens to guard and deepen it.
Making specific reference to the significance of June 12 in Nigeria, the President described the late Chief Moshood Abiola as a patriot who surrendered all he had for the soul of Nigeria, and whose sacrifice became the compass of the nation’s democracy.
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He said history chose to return the baton in the struggle for the soul of democracy to one of the late Chief Abiola’s most trusted lieutenants, President Bola Tinubu, decades after the June 12 debacle of 1993.
He noted that while hope was one thing that nobody could take or extinguish from the final account of Abiola’s life, it is the faith in the promise of Abiola’s vision that has renewed the nation’s hope in what he termed ‘the great theatre of providence’.
Living Dream
The President added that rather than dying in vain, the late Chief Abiola’s dream became a collective covenant and unbroken resolve for Nigerians “to stand for what is right, to defend the sanctity of choice, and to honour the blood that watered the roots of” the nation’s democracy.
He said: “The ticket once denied Nigerians—the Abiola-Kingibe ticket—has found resonance and vindication in a second coming that mirrors it in composition and conviction, in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a man who has kept the democratic flame alive through seasons of fire and storm.”
He further observed that while Nigeria currently stands on the shoulders of unsung heroes and unheard voices, who sacrificed their comfort, freedom, and even their lives for the nation’s democracy, Nigerians, including him, will ever remain grateful to be “stewards of a government that listens to all.”
More Support
While canvassing unflinching support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Vice President Shettima, who represented the President at the event said: “Each of us here owes a sacred duty to support the President’s quest not just to renew hope, but to institutionalize governance, to deepen the roots of democracy, and to build a nation immune to the threats of regression.”
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, acknowledged the heroes of Nigeria’s struggle for democratic governance, applauding their legacies, continuous contributions to the sustenance of democratic structures, and transformation of the nation’s economy.
He urged stakeholders to rededicate themselves to the ideals of democratic rule by supporting the Tinubu administration in its task of guiding Nigeria on the path of prosperity, progress, peace, and security.
In his keynote address, Prof. Samuel Egwu, who pointed out that the hallmark of democratic governance anywhere in the world is commitment, however, said that for the dividends of democracy to fully manifest across all levels of governance in Nigeria, all citizens and leaders must show commitment in words and action.
He added that building on the gains of 26 years of democracy in Nigeria is a herculean task that requires political office holders to put the interest of all citizens and society above personal goals and aspirations.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Nigeria, Cameroonian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Salaheddine Ibrahim, commended Nigeria’s unity regardless of the present challenges.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, noted that the recognition and celebration of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day was not accidental, even as he said the choice was made by the collective will, effort, and sacrifice of a people.
He urged active participation of all stakeholders, including citizens, young and old, across the country, stressing that democracy does not depend on ceremonies and niceties alone.
The high point of the event was the unveiling of three books titled “Tinubunomics”, “Leading With Courage”, and “Turning Challenges into Opportunities”, all examining the gains of the Tinubu administration.