President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised former President Muhammadu Buhari for his historic decision to officially declare June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. Tinubu described the move as a courageous effort to right a longstanding injustice and to acknowledge the true democratic aspirations of the Nigerian people.
He recalled that it was under President Buhari’s leadership that Chief M.K.O. Abiola and his running mate, Babagana Kingibe, were officially recognised as the rightful winners of the June 12, 1993 presidential election—an election widely hailed as Nigeria’s freest and fairest, yet tragically annulled by the military junta of the time.
President Tinubu, a prominent voice in the 1990s pro-democracy movement, reflected on the moment with visible emotion, calling it a poignant reminder of the immense sacrifices made in the fight to reclaim and uphold democratic rule in Nigeria.
“As I walked into this hallowed chamber, I was filled with both a sense of accomplishment and resolve,” he told lawmakers. “Democracy has risen from the ashes of military rule to take its rightful place as the only acceptable mode of governance for our resilient and beloved people.”
He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s democratic values and vowed to carry forward the legacy of those who laid down their lives in the struggle to reinstate civilian governance.
“Since 2018, we have celebrated Democracy Day on June 12 to commemorate the sacrifices of the men and women who fought for our democratic rights,” he said. “Today, I affirm before Almighty God and all of you that I will do all within my power to build and protect our democracy, as the divine hand intends.”
Tinubu’s remarks came as the nation commemorated yet another anniversary of the landmark June 12 election—widely regarded as a defining moment in Nigeria’s journey towards modern democratic governance.
