Tinubu Assures To Do Whatever It Takes To Preserve Democracy

President Bola Tinubu has vowed to defend democracy, stating that as a direct beneficiary of the struggle, he has a moral obligation to preserve Nigeria’s democracy.

The President made this statement on Wednesday during a national broadcast to commemorate the nation’s Democracy Day.

President Tinubu, a prominent member of the pro-democracy movement during the military rule in the 90s, said he has a double burden: “moral and constitutional”.

“I stand uniquely placed in this regard. I was among those who took the risk to midwife the birth of our democracy. I am now a direct and obvious beneficiary of the fruits of those historic efforts.

“As President of this nation, I am morally and constitutionally bound to preserve this precious form of governance. I vow to do my utmost to protect your rights, freedoms, and liberties as citizens of Nigeria,” he said.

Tinubu served as a senator in the short-lived Third Republic and was vocal in challenging Ibrahim Babangida’s decision to annul the 12 June presidential election.

Additionally, Tinubu, alongside many politicians and activists, fought against the Sani Abacha junta while in exile in the 90s. He returned to the country after the demise of General Abacha.

Tinubu recognised some Nigerians he described as great heroes and heroines lost along the way to return to democratic governance.

“In this struggle, the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, the most significant symbol of our democratic struggle, his wife, Kudirat; General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Pa Alfred Rewane, among others sacrificed their very lives.

“They bravely surrendered their futures, so that our nation might have 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 President stated.

He also recognised the sacrifices of General Alani Akinrinade, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Professor Wole Soyinka, Chief Ralph Obioha, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, among many others. He said they 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 leaders such as Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Ayo Opadokun.

“The sacrifices they made, and the precious gift brought about by their selfless devotion can never be repaid. Neither shall it be forgotten. We could not have won the battle against military dictatorship without the irrepressible Nigerian journalists who mounted the barricades along with the pro-democracy activists. We celebrate them today, along with their media establishments such as The Punch, Guardian, National Concord, Tribune, The News/Tempo, and TELL Magazines.

“Military authorities proscribed these media establishments and jailed their journalists for standing for free speech and civil liberties Despite the lethal might of the military government, what appeared to be high and unyielding walls of dictatorship came tumbling down. The dismal fortress exists no longer. The power of an idea, the power of the people proved more potent than all the guns and munitions, than all the guns, the munitions and the threats of the strongmen,” President Tinubu stated.

The President is believed to have played a major role in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to change Democracy Day from 29 May to 12 June.

Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration was held on 29 May before Buhari changed it in 2018 to 12 June in commemoration of the 12 June 1993 presidential election annulled by the military government.

To preserve democracy, Tinubu said he is going to do whatever is necessary to “cement democracy as our way of life”.

He equally warned that there are those seeking to undermine democracy by taking advantage of challenges.

“Although the challenges are steep and multiple, I am grateful to lead Nigeria at this moment in her history and at this point in her democratic journey.

“I come before you also to declare that our most important work remains before us. The real test has never been whether we would rise to challenge the slings of misfortune and grievous pain of dictatorship.

“The real test is whether we shall lower our guards as the shadow of despotism and its evident physical danger fades. I say to you here and now that as we celebrate the enshrinement of our political democracy, let us commit ourselves to the fulfilment of its equally important counterpart, the realisation of our economic democracy,” President Tinubu said.