Democracy Day: Tinubu Unveils Security, Economic Plans, Honours June 12 Heroes

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, improving national security, deepening economic reforms, and delivering prosperity to citizens as the country marked Democracy Day 2026.

In his nationwide Democracy Day address on Friday, Tinubu celebrated Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, describing it as the longest stretch of civilian governance in the nation’s history.

The president said that despite existing challenges, democracy remains the foundation of Nigeria’s progress and called on citizens to continue defending and strengthening democratic institutions.

According to him, Nigerians have consistently chosen their leaders through elections, witnessed peaceful transfers of power, and resolved political disputes through constitutional means rather than violence.

Tinubu urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and voters to ensure peaceful and credible elections in Ekiti and Osun states, warning that democracy suffers whenever citizens lose confidence in the electoral process.

Addressing young Nigerians, the president encouraged them to build their future at home rather than seeking opportunities abroad. He urged the youth to innovate, create businesses, participate in governance and contribute actively to national development.

On security, Tinubu acknowledged growing concerns over recent kidnappings and insecurity, including the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states. He stressed that democracy cannot thrive without security and assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to protecting lives and property.

The president disclosed that the Federal Government had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers alongside thousands of military personnel to strengthen the country’s security architecture.

He further revealed that the 2026 Budget allocates N5.41 trillion to defence and security, describing it as the largest security allocation in Nigeria’s history.

Providing updates on counter-terrorism efforts, Tinubu said Nigerian security forces have significantly degraded terrorist operations across the country. He noted that troops recently destroyed an ISWAP command centre in Arege, Borno State, while terror-related deaths have reportedly declined by 81 per cent since 2015.

According to the president, more than 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised within the past year, while over 124,000 insurgents and their dependants have surrendered through the government’s Operation Safe Corridor deradicalisation programme since 2023.

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Tinubu warned bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism to either surrender or face decisive military action, stressing that the government would show no mercy to individuals who continue to threaten national peace and security.

Reflecting on the significance of June 12, the president paid tribute to the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, widely recognised as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, and his wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.

He also honoured several pro-democracy activists and national figures whose sacrifices contributed to the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria. Among those recognised were Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and many others.

The president said the greatest tribute Nigerians can pay to the heroes of June 12 is to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold justice, protect freedoms and create opportunities for citizens.

On the economy, Tinubu defended the reforms introduced by his administration since assuming office in 2023, insisting that they were necessary to rescue the country from fiscal instability and restore investor confidence.

According to him, the reforms have improved public finances, increased federation revenues, enhanced fiscal transparency and attracted investments into critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, technology, manufacturing, mining and transportation.

The president noted that Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity has expanded significantly, helping to improve energy security and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

Tinubu also highlighted efforts to reform the electricity sector, which he described as one of the most challenging areas inherited by his administration.

He said the signing of the Electricity Act has empowered states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity independently, while the Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working to address the country’s metering deficit and settle legacy debts within the power sector.

The president revealed that the Rural Electrification Agency, with support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has expanded off-grid and mini-grid electricity projects to underserved communities, universities, hospitals and markets nationwide.

On infrastructure and agriculture, Tinubu disclosed that the National Agricultural Development Fund is implementing a plan to deploy 10,000 tractors over five years to boost food production and agricultural productivity.

He also announced that more than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been certified for exports, while Nigeria’s non-oil exports grew by 21 per cent in the past year.

Despite these gains, the president admitted that many Nigerians continue to face economic hardship and rising living costs. He said his administration remains focused on reducing inflation, creating jobs, increasing food production and improving living standards.

Tinubu reiterated his support for financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local government councils, arguing that effective grassroots governance is critical to national development and security.

According to him, the collapse of local governance structures over the years contributed significantly to insecurity and underdevelopment in many communities.

In a major highlight of the address, the president announced national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists, politicians and civil society leaders who played significant roles in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

Among those listed for national recognition were Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, Debo Adeniran, Niran Malaolu, Femi Aborisade, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Ike Okonta and several others.

Tinubu also recognised a number of military officers who supported the June 12 democratic struggle and announced that the honours list would be formally released in the coming days.

Additionally, the president approved the renaming and revitalisation of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology in honour of the late military officer and pro-democracy advocate.

Concluding his address, Tinubu urged Nigerians to reject division, despair and cynicism, and instead embrace unity, hope and national purpose.

He said the generation that fought for June 12 secured political freedom for Nigeria, while the responsibility of the current generation is to secure economic prosperity and ensure democracy delivers tangible benefits to every citizen.

“June 12 reminds us that Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break,” the president said.

He called on citizens to renew their commitment to democracy and work together towards building a united, prosperous and secure nation.

Democracy Day: Tinubu Unveils Security, Economic Plans, Honours June 12 Heroes

Full Text of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Democracy Day Address

Fellow Nigerians

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.

In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.

Agbedi Emerges House Minority Leader as Reps End Leadership Tension

The House of Representatives has confirmed a new leadership team for its minority caucus, ending weeks of political tension and internal disagreements among opposition lawmakers.

Hon. Frederick Agbedi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Sagbama/Ekeremor federal constituency of Bayelsa State, emerged as the new Minority Leader during Thursday’s plenary in Abuja.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the decision while reading a formal letter from the minority caucus, also confirming Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki (ADC, Sokoto) as Deputy Minority Leader, and Hon. Mansur Soro (APM, Bauchi) as Minority Whip.

Abbas said: “Today, the body of principal officers is complete… we congratulate the three members and wish them well.”

The leadership change followed the resignation of former Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda, who left the PDP after winning the APC governorship primary in Rivers State, creating a vacuum that triggered intense lobbying.

Tensions escalated when Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, initially nominated by the G-60 opposition bloc, withdrew his candidacy following a controversial amendment to the House Standing Orders.

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The amendment, sponsored by Hon. Babajimi Benson, introduced a requirement that principal officers must have completed at least one full four-year term in the House, effectively excluding first-term lawmakers.

Before the plenary, G-60 lawmakers staged a brief protest in the chamber, chanting “No announcement, no sitting,” insisting on their preferred leadership arrangement. The protest later subsided.

Ugochinyere, in a withdrawal letter read on the floor, said the decision followed changes to the House rules and was made in the interest of institutional order and unity within the caucus.

During the announcement, Speaker Abbas confirmed the consensus nomination of Agbedi and his deputies, noting that the House would work with the new leadership to achieve its legislative agenda.

Agbedi, a seasoned lawmaker who has represented his Bayelsa constituency since 2011, is expected to coordinate opposition activities in the chamber ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The new minority leadership team will oversee opposition engagement in a House dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with responsibilities including legislative scrutiny and policy oversight.

Agbedi Emerges House Minority Leader as Reps End Leadership Tension