President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday saluted the heroes of democracy on the 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in Nigeria.
The President, in his second Democracy Day speech on June
12, 2024, hailed some pro-democracy arrowheads –those alive and those that have
departed.
Tinubu recognised the labours of the heroes and heroine many
of whom died in the struggle. He said “the sacrifices they made, and the
precious gift brought about by their selfless devotion can never be repaid.
Neither shall it be forgotten”.
He said, “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 sacrifices of General Alani Akinrinade, Professor
Bolaji Akinyemi, Professor Wole Soyinka, Chief Ralph Obioha, Chief Cornelius
Adebayo, among many others, 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 (NADECO) leaders such as Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Ayo Opadokun.“
The President also recognised the sacrifices of the press
and Nigerian journalists “who mounted the barricades along with the
pro-democracy activists”.
‘Nigeria Must Continue With Democracy’
He said despite the challenges 25 years after the nation’s
return from military regime to civil rule, Nigeria must continue with the
choice of democracy.
“My dear compatriots, Nigeria faced a decision of untold
gravity twenty-five years ago: Whether to veer toward a better destination or
continue aimlessly in the fog of dictatorship. We made the right choice then.
We must continue with that choice now,” the President said.
Warns Against Anti-Democratic Forces
He warned against anti-democratic forces “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.”
‘I’m A Beneficiary Of Democracy’
Tinubu, a former NADECO chief, described himself as a direct
beneficiary of democracy and pledged to protect fundamental human rights and
the principles of democratic governance.
“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.”
With its return to democracy from the dark years of military
rule on May 29, 1999, Nigeria celebrated Democracy Day every year on May 29.
The day is to celebrate the ideals of democracy since the beginning of the
Fourth Republic 25 years ago.
In 2018, the President Muhammadu Buhari moved Democracy Day
from May 29 to June 12 in honour of one of the national heroes for democracy,
Chief M.K.O Abiola and “to remind all Nigerians of one free election after
which the presumed winner (Abiola) along with Nigerians were denied their
rights and their choice”.