ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR AT THE
JOINT SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN COMMEMORATION OF DEMOCRACY DAY, 2025
THURSDAY, 12TH JUNE 2025
Protocol:
With profound honour, I stand before this joint
session of our National Assembly; a parliament that embodies the will of the
Nigerian people.
2. Today, as I entered this grand edifice built from
the sweat and toil of our democratic yearning, my heart stirred. It was a blend
of accomplishment and resolve.
3. I felt a sense of collective accomplishment when I
realised how far we
had come as a nation. Since 1999, democracy has risen from the ashes and
destitution of military rule to take its rightful place as the only mode of
governance of our resilient and beloved people.
4. With every footstep I took through these hallowed
halls up to the
moment I now stand before you, I remembered that we still have much
further to go.
5. To achieve this progress, we sought an elective
office to lead this
nation forward. Thus, I hereby affirm before our Merciful and Almighty God
and all men my resolve to do all that I can to safeguard and build our
democracy as the Divine hand intends for us to do.
6. Since 2018, we have celebrated Democracy Day on
this day; to
commemorate the sacrifices of the men and women who fought to restore
democratic governance to Nigeria.
7. Let me pay tribute to former President Muhammadu
Buhari for
reaching back into history to rectify a national misdeed by making June 12
Democracy Day and by officially acknowledging Chief Moshood Kashimawo
Olawale Abiola and his running mate, Babagana Kingibe, as the victors and
thus duly elected President and Vice President respectively of Nigeria after
the June 12, 1993 elections.
8. Year by year, election after election, every time
we debate instead of
battle, discuss instead of fight, and argue instead of destroy, we preserve
the institutions of democracy. More importantly, we weave the culture of
democracy into the very fabric of our nation.
9. Whilst Chief MKO Abiola is June 12’s central
figure, we must not forget
the long list of those who equally deserve to be called heroes of Nigerian
democracy.
10. We must celebrate the courage of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and Pa Alfred
Rewane, both of whom were murdered by agents of military repression. We
also remember the many civil rights activists, journalists, and politicians
imprisoned, exiled, tossed aside, tortured and beaten by the military regime.
11. We remember Chief Anthony Enahoro, Commodore Dan
Suleiman,
Chief Abraham Adesanya, Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Balarabe
Musa, Ganiyu Dawodu, the journalist Bagauda Kaltho, and Commodore
Ndubuisi Kanu. I mention these names not to exclude or degrade the
profound contributions of anyone else, but to illustrate, through these few
heroes, the universality of our pursuit of democracy.
12. The struggle was never the province of any one
group or section of the
country, it was pan-Nigerian in its conception and will be even more pan-
Nigerian as we strive to perfect it.
13. It is fitting that I come to this chamber. You are
the authors of the
people’s law, and I must be their faithful implementer. While we may not
always agree, we must forge a way to work together because this is what
democracy demands of us. I pledge myself to this cooperation and ask that
you do the same for the good of our people.
14. Mr. Chairman, the National Assembly has acted to
uphold democratic
ideals at every critical moment in our national history. In 2006, the 5th
National Assembly protected our democracy against an unseemly third-term
bid that would have ripped our constitution apart. In 2010, the National
Assembly, through the doctrine of necessity, opened the door for then-Vice
President Goodluck Jonathan to become the acting President following the
illness of his predecessor.
15. Even under the military, the National Assembly
tried to protect our
democracy. After General Abacha took over power on November 17, 1993,
and dissolved the National Assembly, some of us, led by Senator Ameh
Ebute, the Senate President in the 3rd Republic, defied the General and his
goons to reconvene in the Old Parliament Building in Lagos. We were jailed
for our defiance.
16. On behalf of a grateful nation, I commend your
invaluable role in
lawmaking, oversight, and constituency representation.
17. At this point, I plead for your indulgence so that
I may put a terrible rumour to bed.
18. To those who ring the alarm that the APC is intent
on a one-party state,
I offer you a most personal promise. While your alarm may be as a result of
your panic, it rings in error. At no time in the past, nor any instance in the
present, and at no future juncture shall I view the notion of a one-party state
as good for Nigeria. I have never attempted to alter any political party
registration with INEC. Equally, my friends, we cannot blame anybody
seeking to bail out of a sinking ship even without a life jacket.
19. Look at my political history. I would be the last
person to advocate such
a scheme. In 2003, when the then-governing party tried to sweep the nation
clean of political opposition through plot and manipulation, I was the last of
the progressive governors standing in my region.
20. In all their numbers and false grandeur, they
boasted of ruling, not
governing, Nigeria for the next half century or more. Where are they now?
21. Yet, I stood alone. My allies had been induced
into defeat. My
adversaries held all the cards that mortal man could carry. Even with all of
that, they could not control our national destiny because fate is written from
above. A greater power did not want Nigeria to become a one-party state
back then. Nigeria will not become such a state now.
22. The failed effort to create a one-party state
placed progressive political
forces on a trajectory to form the APC. It put me on the trajectory which has
brought me before you today. I dare not do such a favour to any political
adversary by repeating the same mistake of political overreach.
23. A one-party state is not in the offing. Nor should
it ever be. That said,
we would be guilty of political malpractice if we closed the door on those from
other parties who now seek to join the APC and I sincerely welcome our
party’s newest members from Delta and Akwa Ibom States led by Governor
Sheriff Oborevwori and Pastor Umo Eno and other members of this National
Assembly.
24. Political parties fearful of members leaving may
be better served by
examining their internal processes and affairs rather than fearfully conjuring
up demons that do not exist. For me, I would say try your best to put your
house in order. I will not help you do so. It is, indeed, a pleasure to witness
you in such disarray.
25. We must welcome and accept the diversity and
number of political
parties just as we welcome and embrace the diversity of our population. Our
efforts must never be to eliminate political competition but to make that
competition salutary to the national well-being by working across the political
aisle whenever possible.
26. One area in which democracy calls us to work
together, whether in the
legislative or executive branch, whether in this or other political parties, is
that of economic and social development.
27. Upon assuming office, my team and I moved to
reform our ailing
economy. We introduced fundamental reforms to correct structural
imbalances that prevented maximum growth.
28. We are already seeing results. GDP grew by 3.4 per
cent in 2024, with
Q4 hitting 4.6 per cent, the highest quarter of growth in over a decade.
Inflation is easing gradually, steadying the price of food staples like rice
and
beans. Our net foreign reserves have increased fivefold, and the Naira
exchange rate has stabilised. Our balance of payments position is positive;
our sovereign credit rating is improving as we continue to promote oil and
non-oil exports. States now do not need to go about borrowing to pay
salaries.
29. In less than one year, over one hundred thousand
Nigerians, including thirty-five thousand civil servants, have benefited from
affordable consumer credit through the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation
(CREDICORP), enabling them to purchase vehicles, light up and improve their
homes and purchase life essentials. This July, we will launch a bold new
initiative to empower four hundred thousand young Nigerians, including youth
corpers, with consumer credit.
30. We are committed to giving more opportunities to
young people through job creation and skills development. Through such programs
as NELFUND, we are investing in education, vocational training,
apprenticeships, and internships to ensure our youth are job-ready and
future-ready.
31. In addition, we have embarked on an ambitious
project to lay fibre optic cables across the nation, a transformative step
toward bridging the digital divide and fostering greater connectivity. This
initiative promises not only to enhance the speed and reliability of internet
access but also to revolutionize how businesses operate, how students learn,
and how communities stay connected. By extending this critical infrastructure,
we are empowering entrepreneurs, enabling digital education, and providing the
tools for our youth to compete in a globalized world.
32. Our “Nigeria First” policy will further enhance
progress as we consolidate market-driven growth. The improved economic
performance is encouraging and validates the soundness of our policy measures.
Our medium-term growth target remains an economy growing at a 7 per cent clip
with a stronger manufacturing base. We must learn to produce and grow most of
our food and we are on the path to achieving food sovereignty.
33. These and other reforms have placed the economy on
a more rational footing where critical decisions regarding large-scale
investment can now be made.
34. I ask you, the legislature, to join me as we enter
the second half of our term to put forth innovative legislation that further
encourages industrial development and job creation in our urban centres while
also drafting laws that improve food security and production.
35. To further underpin our economic vision, we
introduced a comprehensive Tax Reform Package, a vital component of our
economic re- engineering. I am deeply grateful to both chambers for your
thorough consideration and deliberation of these bills, and I look forward to
signing them into law soon.
36. Again, your collaboration across party lines on
these bills has been a model of democratic partnership.
37. As elected leaders, we must continue to do more to
make real the dream of Nigeria’s political and economic democracy.
38. We must be vigilant in expanding the political
space. We must always value dialogue over dictatorship, persuasion over
suppression and rights over might. Be tolerant and broad-minded in your
legislative action regarding speech and civil liberties.
39. Do not be afraid to hear an unkind word spoken
against you. Some of the best advice a politician gets sometimes comes from his
most ferocious opponents. We dare not seek silence because the imposed silence
of repressed voices breeds chaos and ill will, not the harmonics of democracy
in the long term.
40. While malicious slander and libel should not go
unattended, no one should bear the brunt of injustice for merely writing a bad
report about me or calling me names. Democracy requires a fair degree of
tolerance for harsh words and stinging insults. Call me names, call me whatever
you will, and I will still call upon democracy to defend your right to do so.
Mr. Senate President, Mr. Speaker, Distinguished Senators and Honourable
Members.
41. Our nation is not perfect, but it is strong. Our
democracy is not invincible, but it is alive. And this means our dream of a
prosperous, happy nation is still within reach and worth fighting for.
42. Mr. Chairman, Nigeria is at an inflexion point,
undergoing structural and fundamental change toward a secure future.
43. Our administration is fully committed to boosting
the economy’s productive base. Through investment in critical infrastructure,
roads, expansion of port operations, rail, and power we are creating a new
environment in which industry and manufacturing can thrive. Our tax and fiscal
policy reforms will streamline tax administration and eliminate burdensome and
multiple taxes enabling our industrialists and entrepreneurs to operate in a
more conducive environment.
44. Governance must work and deliver value to the
people. As part of our tax reforms, we have provided small businesses with an
exemption and established the Office of the Tax Ombudsman to ensure
transparency and protect taxpayer rights. Digital tools now help us track
performance and reduce waste. The Diaspora Bond and Non-Resident BVN are
bringing
Nigerians abroad into the national development fold.
45. In line with my promise during my New Year address
to the nation, I recently appointed the board of directors of the newly
established National Credit Guarantee Company. The company backed with 100
billion naira in initial capital; with BOI, which, by the way, is performing
very well in supporting SMEs, NSIA, CreditCorp, and MOFI as stakeholders, will
play a significant role in transforming the nation’s industrial landscape and
reducing
corruption.
46. National Security is the foundation of peace and
progress. We have intensified security operations to reclaim communities from
criminals and terrorists. We are better at coordinating intelligence, and
inter-agency cooperation has improved. Our highways are safer, and we invest in
technology and training to secure every inch of this country.
47. Let us take this opportunity to thank the men and
women of our Armed Forces for their bravery in service of the nation. Their
selfless dedication to protecting our sovereignty and ensuring the safety of
citizens should serve as an inspiration to us all. As we celebrate the progress
of our democracy, we must not forget the pivotal role they play in safeguarding
our freedoms. For their courage and commitment, they deserve not only our
gratitude but
also our continued support, prayers and recognition.
48. Fellow compatriots, our achievements are not the
work of one man. They are the result of a collective effort to make possible
the Nigerian Dream. Yet, the journey is not over. We must work even harder to
translate broad macroeconomic gains into tangible improvements in the lives of
ordinary Nigerians. We must stay the course, reject cynicism, and believe
Nigeria can and will rise again.
49. As we mark a twenty-sixth year of unbroken
democracy, it is right to honour those who have made sacrifices in the past,
braving all the odds and the guns to ensure we have a regime of democracy in
our country.
50. In this light, I announce the conferment of the
posthumous national honour of CFR on Kudirat Abiola, the heroine of the June 12
struggle.
51. I also confer posthumous national honours on Shehu
Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu
(CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa. Alfred Rewane (CFR), Bagauda Kaltho
(OON), Chima Ubani (OON), Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka Bashorun (CON),
Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick
Fasehun (CON), Professor Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON), Alhaja
Sawaba Gambo (CON), Dr. Edwin Madunagu (CON), Dr. Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola
Ige (CFR), Pa. Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Sen. Polycarp
Nwite (CON) and Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON).
52. I also confer national honours on Prof. Wole
Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), the journalist and journalism
teacher; Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo
Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah
(CON), Senator Shehu Sani (CON), Governor Uba Sani (CON), Barrister Femi
Falana, SAN (CON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Barrister Luke Aghanenu (OON),
Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON), Hon. Labaran Maku (OON), Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON),
Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Hon Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde
(OON), Barrister Felix Morka (CON) Barrister Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale
Osun (CON), Dr. Amos Akingba (CON), Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji
Akinyemi (CFR), Dr. Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof.
Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR), and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR).
53. Additionally, I confer the national honour of CON
on Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, a legendary journalist and publisher who remains true
to his lifetime calling as he marks his 90th birthday tomorrow, June 13.
54. Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national
honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow
travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul
Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and
John Kpuine (OON). I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative
of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others
whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council
of State.
55. Finally, it is my great privilege to now decorate
the presiding officers of the National Assembly with the National Honours
earlier conferred upon them last year:
Presiding National Assembly Officers
Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON – SENATE PRESIDENT
Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON – Speaker
Senator Jibrin Ibrahim Barau, CFR – DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT
Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR – Deputy Speaker
56. In conclusion, let us rededicate ourselves to the
ideals of June 12; freedom, transparent and accountable government, social
justice, active citizen participation, and a just society where no one is
oppressed.
57. Happy Democracy Day, and may God continue to bless
the Federal Republic of Nigeria and protect our troops.
*Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President, Commander-in-Chief of The Armed Forces,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Comments:
Leave a Reply