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TEXT OF DEMOCRACY DAY NATIONAL
BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU ON JUNE 12, 2023.
Fellow Nigerians,
2. It is exactly three decades
today that Nigerians went to the polls to exercise their inalienable right to
elect a President of their choice to lead the transition from military
dictatorship to a representative government of the people.
3. The abortion, by military
fiat, of the decisive victory of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the
defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the June 12, 1993, presidential
election, up to that time, the fairest and freest election in the country’s
political evolution, turned out, ironically, to be the seed that germinated
into the prolonged struggle that gave birth to the democracy we currently enjoy
since 1999.
4. In rising to strongly oppose
the arbitrary annulment of the will of the majority of Nigerians as expressed
in that historic election, the substantial number of our people who participated
in the struggle to de-annul the election signified their fierce commitment to
enthroning democracy as a form of government that best ennobles the liberty,
the dignity of the individual and the integrity as well as the stability of the
polity. The fierce opposition to the annulment of the June 12, 1993
presidential election and the unrelenting pro-democracy onslaught it unleashed
was the equivalent of the battle against colonial rule by our founding fathers
that resulted in the gaining of Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
5. Just like the anti-colonial
movement, the pro-June 12 vanguard demonstrated, once again, the enduring
validity of the 19th century historian, Arnold Toynbee’s eternal postulation,
that civilization and societies experience progress as they are forced to
respond to challenges posed by the environment. The unjust annulment of a
widely acknowledged free and fair election was a challenge that elicited
resistance by a resurgent civil society, leading ultimately to the attainment of
our ‘second independence’ as exemplified by the return of democratic governance
in 1999.
6. Fellow compatriots, we
celebrate a day that has remained a watershed in our nation’s history, not just
today, but for every June 12, for the endless future that our beloved country
shall exist and wax stronger and stronger, generations of Nigerians will always
remind themselves that the democracy that is steadily growing to become the
defining essence of our polity was not gifted to us on a silver platter.
7. We can easily recall the
sacrifice and martyrdom of Chief MKO Abiola, the custodian of the sacred
mandate that was so cruelly annulled. He sacrificed his life in unyielding,
patriotic defense of the ideals of democracy as symbolized in his choice, by
his fellow countrymen and women, as their duly-elected President. There was an
easier choice for him. It was to forgo the justice of his cause and opt for the
path of ease and capitulation in the face of the tyranny of power. To his
eternal credit and immortal glory, Abiola said no. He demonstrated the
time-tested eternal truth that there are certain ideals and principles that are
far more valuable than life itself.
8. Everyday, on this day, down
the ages we will recall the several other heroes of democracy such as Kudirat
Abiola, wife of Chief Abiola, who was brutally murdered while in the trenches
fighting on the side of the people. We remember Pa Alfred Rewane, one of the
heroes of our independence struggle and Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (rtd)
who were silenced by the military junta while in pursuit of democracy. They
gave their yesterday for the liberty that is ours today.
9. The point is that we must
never take this democracy for granted. We must forever jealously guard and
protect it like a precious jewel. For, a people can never truly appreciate the
freedoms and rights democracy guarantees them until they lose it.
10. We have traversed the dark,
thorny path of dictatorship before and those who experienced it can readily
testify to the unbridgeable gap between the dignity of freedom and the
humiliation and degradation of tyranny. True, rancorous debates, interminable
wrangling, ceaseless quarrels, bitter electoral contestations may be perceived
by some as unattractive features of democracy. But they also testify to its
merit and value.
11. This year, we held the
seventh in the cycle of elections that have become sacred rituals of our
democratic practice in this dispensation since 1999.
12. That the polls were intensely
contested is in itself positive evidence that democracy is well and alive in
our land. It is only natural that even as those who won and experienced victory
in the various elections are elated and fulfilled, those who lost are
disenchanted and disappointed. But the beauty of democracy is that those who
win today can lose tomorrow and those who lose today will have an opportunity
to compete and win in the next round of elections.
13. Those who cannot endure and
accept the pain of defeat in elections do not deserve the joy of victory when
it is their turn to triumph. Above all, those who disagree with the outcome of
the elections are taking full advantage of the constitutional provisions to seek
redress in court and that is one of the reasons why democracy is still the best
form of government invented by man.
14. For Chief MKO Abiola, the
symbol of this day, in whose memory June 12 became a national holiday,
democracy is eternal.
15. It is about rule of law and
vibrant judiciary that can be trusted to deliver justice and strengthen
institutions. It has become imperative to state here that the unnecessary
illegal orders used to truncate or abridge democracy will no longer be
tolerated.
16. The recent harmonization of
the retirement age for judicial officers is meant to strengthen the rule of
law, which is a critical pillar of democracy. The reform has just started.
17. The democracy that will yield
the right dividends to the people who are the shareholders means more than just
freedom of choice and the right to get people into elective offices. It means
social and economic justice for our people. To the winner of June 12, democracy
offers the best chance to fight and eliminate poverty. Thirty years ago, he
christened his campaign manifesto, ‘Farewell to Poverty’ because he was
convinced that there is nothing divine about poverty. It is a man-made problem
that can be eliminated with clearly thought out social and economic policies.
18. It is for this reason that,
in my inauguration address on May 29, I gave effect to the decision taken by my
predecessor-in-office to remove the fuel subsidy albatross and free up for
collective use the much-needed resources, which had hitherto been pocketed by a
few rich. I admit that the decision will impose an extra burden on the masses
of our people. I feel your pain. This is one decision we must bear to save our
country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a
few unpatriotic elements.
19. Painfully, I have asked you,
my compatriots, to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country. For
your trust and belief in us, I assure you that your sacrifice shall not be in
vain. The government I lead will repay you through massive investment in
transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and
other public utilities that will improve the quality of lives.
20. The democracy MKO Abiola died
for is one that promotes the welfare of the people over personal interests of
the ruling class and one where the governed can find personal fulfillment and
happiness. That is the hope MKO Abiola ignited throughout our country in 1993.
21. On this year’s Democracy Day,
I enjoin us all to rededicate ourselves to strengthening this form of
government of free peoples that has been our guiding light these past 24 years.
In particular, those of us who have been privileged to be elected into public
offices at various levels in both the executive and legislative arms of government
must recommit ourselves to offering selfless service to the people, and
delivering concrete democracy dividends in accordance with our electoral
promises.
22. On my part and that of my
administration, I pledge anew our commitment to diligently fulfilling every
component of our electoral pact with the people – the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
23. We shall be faithful to
truth. Faithful to equity. And faithful to justice. We shall exercise our
authority and mandate to govern with fairness, respect for the rule of law, and
commitment to always uphold the dignity of all our people.
24. On this note, I wish us all a
happy Democracy Day celebration and pray that the light of liberty shall never
be extinguished in our land.
25. Thank you all and may God
continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
TEXT OF DEMOCRACY DAY NATIONAL
BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU ON JUNE 12, 2023.
Fellow Nigerians,
2. It is exactly three decades
today that Nigerians went to the polls to exercise their inalienable right to
elect a President of their choice to lead the transition from military
dictatorship to a representative government of the people.
3. The abortion, by military
fiat, of the decisive victory of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the
defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the June 12, 1993, presidential
election, up to that time, the fairest and freest election in the country’s
political evolution, turned out, ironically, to be the seed that germinated
into the prolonged struggle that gave birth to the democracy we currently enjoy
since 1999.
4. In rising to strongly oppose
the arbitrary annulment of the will of the majority of Nigerians as expressed
in that historic election, the substantial number of our people who
participated in the struggle to de-annul the election signified their fierce
commitment to enthroning democracy as a form of government that best ennobles
the liberty, the dignity of the individual and the integrity as well as the
stability of the polity. The fierce opposition to the annulment of the June 12,
1993 presidential election and the unrelenting pro-democracy onslaught it
unleashed was the equivalent of the battle against colonial rule by our
founding fathers that resulted in the gaining of Nigeria’s independence in
1960.
5. Just like the anti-colonial
movement, the pro-June 12 vanguard demonstrated, once again, the enduring
validity of the 19th century historian, Arnold Toynbee’s eternal postulation,
that civilization and societies experience progress as they are forced to
respond to challenges posed by the environment. The unjust annulment of a
widely acknowledged free and fair election was a challenge that elicited
resistance by a resurgent civil society, leading ultimately to the attainment
of our ‘second independence’ as exemplified by the return of democratic
governance in 1999.
6. Fellow compatriots, we celebrate
a day that has remained a watershed in our nation’s history, not just today,
but for every June 12, for the endless future that our beloved country shall
exist and wax stronger and stronger, generations of Nigerians will always
remind themselves that the democracy that is steadily growing to become the
defining essence of our polity was not gifted to us on a silver platter.
7. We can easily recall the
sacrifice and martyrdom of Chief MKO Abiola, the custodian of the sacred
mandate that was so cruelly annulled. He sacrificed his life in unyielding,
patriotic defense of the ideals of democracy as symbolized in his choice, by
his fellow countrymen and women, as their duly-elected President. There was an
easier choice for him. It was to forgo the justice of his cause and opt for the
path of ease and capitulation in the face of the tyranny of power. To his
eternal credit and immortal glory, Abiola said no. He demonstrated the
time-tested eternal truth that there are certain ideals and principles that are
far more valuable than life itself.
8. Everyday, on this day, down
the ages we will recall the several other heroes of democracy such as Kudirat
Abiola, wife of Chief Abiola, who was brutally murdered while in the trenches
fighting on the side of the people. We remember Pa Alfred Rewane, one of the
heroes of our independence struggle and Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (rtd)
who were silenced by the military junta while in pursuit of democracy. They
gave their yesterday for the liberty that is ours today.
9. The point is that we must
never take this democracy for granted. We must forever jealously guard and
protect it like a precious jewel. For, a people can never truly appreciate the
freedoms and rights democracy guarantees them until they lose it.
10. We have traversed the dark,
thorny path of dictatorship before and those who experienced it can readily
testify to the unbridgeable gap between the dignity of freedom and the
humiliation and degradation of tyranny. True, rancorous debates, interminable wrangling,
ceaseless quarrels, bitter electoral contestations may be perceived by some as
unattractive features of democracy. But they also testify to its merit and
value.
11. This year, we held the
seventh in the cycle of elections that have become sacred rituals of our
democratic practice in this dispensation since 1999.
12. That the polls were intensely
contested is in itself positive evidence that democracy is well and alive in
our land. It is only natural that even as those who won and experienced victory
in the various elections are elated and fulfilled, those who lost are
disenchanted and disappointed. But the beauty of democracy is that those who
win today can lose tomorrow and those who lose today will have an opportunity
to compete and win in the next round of elections.
13. Those who cannot endure and
accept the pain of defeat in elections do not deserve the joy of victory when
it is their turn to triumph. Above all, those who disagree with the outcome of
the elections are taking full advantage of the constitutional provisions to
seek redress in court and that is one of the reasons why democracy is still the
best form of government invented by man.
14. For Chief MKO Abiola, the
symbol of this day, in whose memory June 12 became a national holiday,
democracy is eternal.
15. It is about rule of law and
vibrant judiciary that can be trusted to deliver justice and strengthen
institutions. It has become imperative to state here that the unnecessary
illegal orders used to truncate or abridge democracy will no longer be
tolerated.
16. The recent harmonization of
the retirement age for judicial officers is meant to strengthen the rule of
law, which is a critical pillar of democracy. The reform has just started.
17. The democracy that will yield
right dividends to the people who are the shareholders means more than just freedom
of choice and right to get people into elective offices. It means social and
economic justice for our people. To the winner of June 12, democracy offers the
best chance to fight and eliminate poverty. Thirty years ago, he christened his
campaign manifesto, ‘Farewell to Poverty’ because he was convinced that there
is nothing divine about poverty. It is a man-made problem that can be
eliminated with clearly thought out social and economic policies.
18. It is for this reason that,
in my inauguration address on May 29, I gave effect to the decision taken by my
predecessor-in-office to remove the fuel subsidy albatross and free up for
collective use the much-needed resources, which had hitherto been pocketed by a
few rich. I admit that the decision will impose extra burden on the masses of
our people. I feel your pain. This is one decision we must bear to save our
country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a
few unpatriotic elements.
19. Painfully, I have asked you,
my compatriots, to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country. For
your trust and belief in us, I assure you that your sacrifice shall not be in
vain. The government I lead will repay you through massive investment in
transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and
other public utilities that will improve the quality of lives.
20. The democracy MKO Abiola died
for is one that promotes the welfare of the people over personal interests of
the ruling class and one where the governed can find personal fulfillment and
happiness. That is the hope MKO Abiola ignited throughout our country in 1993.
21. On this year’s Democracy Day,
I enjoin us all to rededicate ourselves to strengthening this form of
government of free peoples that has been our guiding light these past 24 years.
In particular, those of us who have been privileged to be elected into public
offices at various levels in both the executive and legislative arms of
government must recommit ourselves to offering selfless service to the people,
and delivering concrete democracy dividends in accordance with our electoral
promises.
22. On my part and that of my
administration, I pledge anew our commitment to diligently fulfilling every
component of our electoral pact with the people – the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
23. We shall be faithful to
truth. Faithful to equity. And faithful to justice. We shall exercise our
authority and mandate to govern with fairness, respect for the rule of law, and
commitment to always uphold the dignity of all our people.
24. On this note, I wish us all a
happy Democracy Day celebration and pray that the light of liberty shall never
be extinguished in our land.
25. Thank you all and may God
continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
