June 12: Let's build country where citizens empowered, opinions heard —Tinubu

*Democracy yet to deliver prosperity, liberty to Nigerians — Atiku *Adds unity among opposition parties, key to democracy’s survival lPDP accuses APC of desecrating Abiola’s legacy lSays Nigerians angry over hardship lNigerians yet to enjoy basic amenities — ASUU tells Tinubu lNigerians still bleeding over bad governance — CSO 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged all Nigerians to cooperate with him and build a nation where people's voice would be heard and citizens would be empowered.

He said this during his nationwide broadcast, on Democracy Day, Tinubu stated that some persons sacrificed their lives to ensure that democratic government was put in place about 25 years ago.

He said: “My dear compatriots, Nigeria faced a decision of untold gravity 25 years ago: Whether to veer towards a better destination or continue aimlessly in the fog of dictatorship.

“We made the right choice then. We must continue with that choice now.

“As Nigerians, we must remind ourselves that no matter how complicated democracy may be, it is the best form of governance in the long run. We must also be aware that there are those among us who will try to exploit current challenges to undermine, if not destroy, this democracy for which so much has already been given.

“These people do this not to make things better but to subject all other people and things to their control and dominance until the point that, if you are not counted among their elite, then your life will be small and no longer owned by you.

“This is the great battle of our day and the major reason we specially celebrate this Democracy day.”

The President said that Nigeria’s  democracy is more than a historic fact, noting that it is a living, breathing reality.

He further said that the true meaning of the day is not to focus solely on the great deeds of the past that have brought the country to her present point.  

He said: “Yes, we pay eternal honour to those who laid down their lives, sacrificing everything to pave the way for the nation.

“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 best to protect your rights, freedoms, and liberties as citizens of Nigeria.

“Even more than that, I pledge to do whatever is necessary to cement democracy as our way of life.

“I come before you also to declare that our most important work remains before us. This 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 fade.”

He added that the Federal Government has negotiated in good faith and open arms with organised labour on a new national minimum wage.  

He promised to as soon as possible send an executive bill to the National Assembly to enshrine what has been agreed upon as part of the law for the next five years or less. 

We must re-commit to inclusivity, accountability,  transparency 

President Tinubu had earlier urged the citizenry and leaders to recommit to the values of inclusivity, accountability and transparency to guarantee an enduring democracy.

President Tinubu said after 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, it was time for all Nigerians to partake “in building a nation where every voice is heard, where every potential is realised, and where every citizen is empowered to contribute to the collective good.”

The President, who spoke during the 2024 Democracy Day Lecture at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, noted that at this point of the nation’s democratic journey, every Nigerian, irrespective of background, must be given a chance to contribute to the nation’s shared destiny.

The president spoke as a host of leaders and groups dissected Nigeria’s democracy since the June 12, episode and offered suggestions on the way forward.

With a series of activities mapped out to celebrate June 12 by The Patriots, state governments, especially in the South-West, and Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, notable Nigerians and groups, who spoke on June 12, yesterday, included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU; International Press Centre, IPC, among others.

This happened as the Federal Government declared today as a public holiday with the Department of State Service, DSS, warned those planning to embark on June 12 protest to have a re-think or face the consequences.

We must entrench democracy

President Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the lessons learned after 25 years is that democracy is a journey that must be constantly nurtured and watched closely.

His words: “Our progress has been marked by both triumphs and trials, each serving as a reminder of the preciousness of our democratic principles. As we move forward, let us recommit to the values of inclusivity, accountability, and transparency, ensuring that our democracy not only endures but flourishes for generations to come.

“The future of Nigeria lies in our hands, in our ability to dream, innovate, and act with courage and conviction. Let us embrace this moment with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that the path we tread today will shape the Nigeria of tomorrow.

“This is an invitation for each of us to participate in building a nation where every voice is heard, where every potential is realised, and where every citizen is empowered to contribute to the collective good.”

President Tinubu observed that sustaining democracy for 25 years, the longest in the country’s checkered history is evidence of “the enduring sacrifices of several generations of patriots.”

Passing his verdict on the democratic journey so far, the President declared that 25 years was time enough to ascertain the effectiveness of any experiment.

He said, “Our democratic experience, despite the lows and the highs, is a telling referendum on our aspiration to build a nation that serves the interests of all, a federation that has not conspired against any benign group.

“We are here because the alternative is a descent into dystopia. Today is a moment to reflect on our journey so far. The tragedies Nigeria survived to settle for this democracy, the fourth of such experiments, must inspire each of us to play our part to honour the labour of our founding fathers and mothers and remind ourselves of the principles that drove their resolve to build for us a diverse nation that has defied the pessimism of detached agents of anarchy.”

Noting that it is not just a day of remembrance, Tinubu stated that it is a call to action, even as he said young and competent Nigerians, including the patriotic and innovative, must all be engaged in crafting a succession plan that secures the desired future.

“It is through their energy, creativity, and commitment that we will build a Nigeria that stands resilient against the challenges of tomorrow. Let us therefore pledge to create an environment where every Nigerian, regardless of background, has the opportunity to contribute to our shared destiny,” President further noted.

Earlier, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, highlighted the sacrifices made by heroes and heroines who fought for democracy, with many paying the ultimate price.

He saluted the courage of Nigerians in upholding democratic values despite challenges. 

He said, “Our democratic journey is one of optimism as reversal is never contemplated. Today provides an opportunity to salute the resilience of our people in believing in democracy,” Akume stated.

In his keynote address, former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, called on politicians to prioritise citizens’ needs, saying: “democracy is about the government of the people, not just politicians. We therefore need to prioritise the needs of the populace ahead of our own needs. We also need to become better democrats. We need to fully imbibe the culture of democracy. We need good winners and good losers.”

Nigerians still bleeding over bad governance - CSO

Meanwhile,  Centre for Sustained Dialogue, CSD, has said that despite the return to democratic government in 1999, Nigerians are yet to enjoy quality governance capable of turning their fortunes around positively.

CSD Programme Director, Waheed Saka said the yearnings of the populace were yet to be met by leaders since the return of democracy.

“Successive democratic administrations have not met the expectations of Nigerians to enjoy good and progressive governance in over 20 years of return to democracy. What the present administration promised us is renewed hope but what we are presently experiencing is a dashed hope. We want President Tinubu to also feel the pulse of Nigerians and give us a reason to believe in democracy again,” he said.

Democracy yet to deliver prosperity, liberty to Nigerians — Atiku

Speaking on Democracy, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, said much as democracy remains the best system of government, it was yet to deliver on its promise of prosperity and liberty to Nigerians especially in the past nine years.

He noted that the secondary purpose of declaring every June 12, as Democracy Day in our country is to commemorate the history of our long journey of becoming a stable democratic country.

The former Vice President said: “Truth be told, there’s no substitute to democracy as a form of government.

“Whereas our current democratic dispensation is a quarter of a century old, it will not be out of place to pay tributes to the sacrifices made by many patriots, chiefly among them Basorun MKO Abiola and his beloved wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Tafida Yar’Adua and Alfred Rewane, among many others.

“The historical timeline of the struggle that birthed this democracy is abundant with a series of coalitions and alliances among the political leaderships of that era to flush away the vestiges of military and dictatorial governance in order to return power to the people.

“It is commendable that for 25 years, we have witnessed an uninterrupted season of electoral politics. It is an unprecedented epoch in our history.

“It is worthy of celebration and commendation must go to the people of our great country. I must also congratulate the political class for having embraced the rectitude of nurturing a democracy, as well as the civil society.

“It is important that all stakeholders continue to do their bit to ensure the sustainability of our democracy.”

He further said, “But our democracy is not yet virile if it continually fails to deliver the promises of prosperity and liberty to the people.

“However, the past nine years has thrown up a regime of extreme hardship manifested in excruciating poverty and unprecedented levels of violence and insecurity upon our people.

“Sadly, the ruling All Progressives Congress is to blame for bringing forth this dawn of gloom.

“But the opposition political parties are even more guilty than the ruling party for the seeming lack of capacity to come together and galvanize a coalition that will retire the ruling party and articulate a plan of good governance that will earn the conviction of Nigerians.

“Today, the failings of the opposition parties to uphold the functionality of their existence is the major threat to our democracy. The earlier they realise that the fortunes of Nigeria lies in their forging a coalition, the better it will be for our country and the people.”

PDP accuses APC of desecrating Abiola’s legacy

Speaking in like manner, the PDP accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, led administrations which took power in 2015 of desecrating the democratic principles, legacies and values which the late Chief MKO Abiola laboured and died for.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, said this in a June 12 message to Nigerians in Abuja, yesterday.

The PDP charged Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Democracy Day to speak against “the anti-democratic tendencies of the insensitive APC which is asphyxiating, inflicting hardship, trampling on the Will and rights of the citizens and seeking to foist a totalitarian system on our nation.

“More disquieting is that all the progress and gains made by successive PDP administrations in entrenching democratic practice in Nigeria have been reversed by the APC administrations.

“Nigerians can recall with nostalgia the glorious days of the PDP at the return of Democracy in 1999 to 2015, which period witnessed the expansion of democracy practice and dividend, notably the conduct of free and fair elections; adherence to the Rule of Law and Principle of Separation of Powers, economic transformation resulting in Nigeria becoming a preferred foreign investment destination in the world. 

“These ideals have been completely violated by the APC administrations which leaders have no respect for public opinion but delight in burdening the people through multiple taxes and looting of treasury to finance their luxury appetite while subjecting other Nigerians to a life of fear, uncertainty, despondency and abject poverty.

“Our Party urges President Tinubu to use the occasion of the Democracy Day to have a deep reflection on the state of the nation under his watch, especially given the growing public agitation over hunger and high cost of living in the country.”

Nigerians yet to enjoy basic amenities, ASUU tells Tinubu

In like manner, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, University of Ibadan chapter, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, urged President Tinubu to promote democratic culture and activities that will boost the Nigerian economy.

Akinwole in a release to mark the June 12 Democracy day celebration entitled: “25 Years of Democratic Era in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: The Experience of the University System,” noted that “disappointingly and unfortunately, twenty-five years after the return of democracy to Nigeria, the Nigerian citizenry are yet to enjoy the benefits and dividends of democracy, as some or most of the malaise and challenges characteristic of the military rule are still very much palpable and obvious in the Nigerian body-politic.”

The ASUU boss noted that: “Six years after, the Muhammadu Buhari administration announced June 12, as democracy day in Nigeria, we have every reason to think celebrating democracy day cannot be enough without democratic leadership style.

Prof. Akinwole noted that President Tinubu owes “It a duty to our children, born and unborn to be educated in decent classrooms and not under the trees or sheds.”

He maintained that: “our children are entitled, as of right, to laboratory and classroom facilities. In the event of a lack of these, they will be enslaved all over again in the coming century by people who are not better endowed by nature and by God.”

Shun politics of tokenism, Bamisile urges Nigerians

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Delegated Legislation, Mr. Femi Bamisile, representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, enjoined the citizenry to shun politics of tokenism and hold their leaders accountable in order to preserve and sustain the country’s democratic rule.

Bamisile said democracy can only be profitable and effective if Nigerians begin to rate political leaders from a broader prism of concrete delivery of promises made to them during electioneering.

Bamisile equally urged Nigerian leaders to honour heroes he described as “Martyrs of Democracy” and offer requisite support for their families.