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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Tinubu Celebrates 27 Years of Nigerian Democracy, Pledges Continued Security Efforts

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • President Bola Tinubu celebrated Nigeria's 27 years of unbroken democracy, emphasizing the nation's commitment to civilian rule and peaceful transitions of power.
  • He acknowledged the challenges, including the abduction of children in Oyo and Borno, but stressed that democracy requires security, highlighting increased investment in defense and security forces.
  • Tinubu urged citizens to remain hopeful and committed to building Nigeria, while also issuing a strong warning to bandits and kidnappers to surrender or face severe consequences.

President Bola Tinubu marked Nigeria's 27th Democracy Day by celebrating the nation's longest stretch of civilian rule, spanning 27 years since May 29, 1999. He lauded Nigerians for consistently choosing leaders through the ballot, facilitating peaceful power transitions, and resolving disputes through legal and legislative channels rather than violence.

Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.

— President Bola TinubuEmphasizing the importance of protecting and improving Nigeria's democratic system.

Addressing the nation, Tinubu acknowledged that while Nigeria's democracy is imperfect, it is a system that must be defended and strengthened. He urged citizens, particularly the youth, to remain invested in the country's future, encouraging them to "build here, code here, work here, and vote here." He emphasized that building a great nation requires staying to solve problems, not abandoning ship.

To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here.

— President Bola TinubuEncouraging youth engagement and investment in the country.

While celebrating democratic progress, Tinubu did not shy away from current challenges, specifically mentioning the "dampened mood" due to the abduction of children in Oyo and Borno states. He underscored the administration's commitment to security, stating, "Democracy without security is a mirage." This commitment is reflected in a declared security emergency, the recruitment of over 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military personnel, and a record N5.41 trillion allocated to defense in the 2026 budget.

Democracy without security is a mirage.

— President Bola TinubuLinking the concept of democracy to the necessity of a secure environment.

Tinubu also highlighted successes in combating terrorism, noting the neutralization of over 13,000 terrorists in the past year and an 81% reduction in terror-related deaths since 2015. He reiterated the government's strategy of precision targeting and offered a stark choice to those involved in banditry and kidnapping: "Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State." He warned that these opportunities to surrender would not last indefinitely, promising no mercy for those who profit from violence.

Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year.

— President Bola TinubuReporting on the progress made in combating terrorism.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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