On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu celebrated 25 years of continuous democratic rule in Nigeria by honoring the champions of democracy. In his second Democracy Day speech on June 12, 2024, the President praised some pro-democracy arrowheads, both those who are still alive and others who have passed away. Tinubu acknowledged the efforts of the brave men and women, many of whom lost their lives in the conflict. He declared, “It is impossible to repay the sacrifices they made or the priceless gift that resulted from their unselfish devotion. It won’t be forgotten either.
He declared, “In this struggle, among others, the lives of Pa Alfred Rewane, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Chief MKO Abiola, the most important symbol of our democratic struggle, and his wife, Kudirat, were sacrificed.”
They gave up their bright futures in order to provide our country a better one.
“Let us honour 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.
“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.“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 (NADECO) leaders such as Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Ayo Opadokun.“
The press and Nigerian journalists “who mounted the barricades along with the pro-democracy activists” were also honored for their sacrifices by the president.
He stated that Nigeria must stick with its decision for democracy in spite of the difficulties that have arisen 25 years after the country’s transition from a military to a civil government. Twenty-five years ago, my dear compatriots, Nigeria had to make a decision of immense gravity: should it veer toward a better direction or remain aimlessly in the mist of dictatorship? That was the right decision we made. Right now, we have to stick with that decision,” the President stated.
“Who will try to exploit current challenges to undermine, if not destroy, this democracy for which so much has already been given,” he cautioned against anti-democratic forces. “These people don’t do this to improve things; instead, they do this to subjugate all other people and things to their power and dominance, to the point where your life will become small and unowned by you if you are not one of their elite.”
Former NADECO CEO Tinubu vowed to uphold democratic government ideals and basic human rights, characterizing himself as a direct beneficiary of democracy. “I am in a unique position in this regard. I was one of the brave few who helped to birth our democracy. I am now clearly and directly benefiting from their historic efforts. “I have a moral and constitutional obligation to protect this priceless system of government as president of this country. As people of Nigeria, I promise to do everything in my power to defend your rights, freedoms, and liberties.
Furthermore, I promise to take all necessary steps to solidify democracy as our way of life. Nigeria observed Democracy Day annually on May 29th after regaining democracy on May 29, 1999, following a protracted period of military dictatorship. The purpose of the day is to honor democratic principles upheld since the Fourth Republic’s founding 25 years ago. To honor Chief M.K.O. Abiola, one of the national heroes of democracy, and “to remind all Nigerians of one free election after which the presumed winner (Abiola) along with Nigerians were denied their rights and their choice,” President Muhammadu Buhari moved the date of Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 in 2018.
