President Bola Tinubu marked Democracy Day on Friday with a pledge to defend Nigeria’s 27 years of unbroken civilian rule and deliver a tougher response to banditry and terrorism.
Addressing Nigerians on June 12, 2026, Tinubu said the country had chosen its leaders through the ballot since 1999, resolved disputes in courts and chambers, and built the longest stretch of civilian governance in its history.
"Today, we celebrate democracy and the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers not through violence.
"We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it," he said.
The President said Ekiti and Osun would hold elections in the coming days and urged INEC, security agencies and political parties to ensure the polls were peaceful and credible.
He told the National Assembly, Judiciary, Press and Civil Society they were the "guardrails of our republic."
"Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria," he said.
Tinubu appealed to young people to stay and build Nigeria, telling them "Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship," he said.
He praised the armed forces, police, intelligence services, traditional rulers, faith leaders and community heads for their sacrifice and support.
Tinubu, however, admitted the mood was dampened by the abduction of children in Oyo and Borno.
"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.
"That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits.
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"Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion our largest everto defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people," he said.
The President said terror-related deaths were down 81 per cent since 2015 and over 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised.
More than 124,000 fighters and dependents, he added, had surrendered through Operation Safe Corridor since 2023.
He warned bandits and sponsors of terror to surrender or face the state.
"To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians," he said.
Tinubu linked June 12 to the struggle for economic freedom as he recalled Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and other democracy heroes, saying the challenge now was to make democracy felt in people’s lives.
"June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives, in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers," he said.
He defended his administration’s reforms, saying they were driven by necessity after public finances came under strain in 2023.
Since then, he said, federation revenues had risen, fiscal transparency improved, and investor confidence returned in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transport and creative industries.
On power, Tinubu said domestic refining capacity had increased and he had signed the Electricity Act to give states authority to generate and distribute power.
The Presidential Power Sector Task Force, he said, was authorised to raise a four trillion naira (N4 trillion) bond to clear legacy debts.
"Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it," he said.
The President also announced financial autonomy for the 774 local councils, saying weak grassroots governance was partly responsible for insecurity.
He said the Renewed Hope Agenda was about ensuring all Nigerians benefit from governance.
Tinubu approved national awards for Nigerians who suffered persecution during the June 12 struggle and renamed the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, after General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. He ended with a call for unity.
"Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land.
"May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to bless us all," he said.
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