June 12: Tinubu vows to crush terrorism, celebrates democracy heroes

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday used his 2026 Democracy Day address to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to security, economic reforms and democratic governance, while paying tribute to the heroes of the June 12 struggle and announcing national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists.

Addressing Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 27th uninterrupted year of democratic rule, Tinubu described democracy as an enduring national achievement that must be protected and strengthened despite prevailing challenges.

The President noted that since the return to civilian rule in 1999, Nigerians have consistently elected their leaders through the ballot box and resolved political disputes through constitutional institutions rather than violence.

“As beneficiaries of the sacrifices of our democratic heroes, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought,” he said.

Tinubu Calls for Credible Elections in Ekiti, Osun

With governorship elections approaching in Ekiti State and Osun State, the President urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and political parties to ensure transparent, peaceful and credible polls.

He stressed that public confidence in the electoral process remains critical to sustaining democracy and called on the judiciary, legislature, media and civil society organisations to continue serving as guardians of the nation’s democratic values.

Security Emergency Yielding Results, Says President

Tinubu acknowledged that the nation remains troubled by insecurity, particularly the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states, but assured Nigerians that efforts were being intensified to secure their release.

According to him, the government had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers alongside thousands of military personnel to bolster security operations nationwide.

He disclosed that the 2026 federal budget allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security, the largest security budget in Nigeria’s history.

Highlighting recent military gains, the President said security forces had degraded an ISWAP command centre in Arege, Borno State, through precision operations conducted with support from international allies, including the United States and France.

Tinubu claimed that terror-related deaths had declined by 81 per cent since 2015 and revealed that more than 13,000 terrorists were neutralised within the past year.

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He also pointed to the success of the government’s deradicalisation programme, Operation Safe Corridor, stating that over 124,000 fighters and their dependents had surrendered since 2023.

Sending a strong warning to criminal groups, Tinubu declared that bandits, kidnappers and terror financiers must either surrender or face decisive action from the state.

June 12 Heroes Remembered

The President paid glowing tribute to the heroes of Nigeria’s democratic struggle, particularly the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and Kudirat Abiola, whose sacrifices became symbols of the fight against military rule.

He also remembered several pro-democracy figures, including Gani Fawehinmi, Bola Ige, Alfred Rewane, Anthony Enahoro, Beko Ransome-Kuti and Frank Kokori among many others.

According to Tinubu, June 12 remains a defining moment in Nigeria’s history because it demonstrated the possibility of national unity beyond ethnic and religious divisions.

Economic Reforms Beginning to Deliver Results

Defending his administration’s economic policies, Tinubu said difficult reforms introduced since 2023 were necessary to rescue the economy from fiscal instability and declining investor confidence.

The President said federation revenues had increased significantly, providing states and local governments with more resources for development projects, healthcare, education and security.

He added that fiscal transparency had improved while investments in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining and transportation were increasing.

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Tinubu also highlighted improvements in domestic petroleum refining capacity, saying the development was reducing dependence on imported fuel and strengthening energy security.

Electricity Sector Undergoing Transformation

The President devoted a significant portion of his address to the power sector, which he described as one of the most troubled sectors inherited by his administration.

According to him, Nigeria’s electricity industry was plagued by generation shortfalls, poor transmission infrastructure, massive distribution losses and a metering deficit exceeding four million consumers.

To address these challenges, he said his government enacted the Electricity Act, empowering states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity independently.

Tinubu revealed that the Presidential Power Sector Task Force had been authorised to raise a N4 trillion bond to clear verified legacy debts within the power sector.

He also noted that the Rural Electrification Agency, with support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, was expanding off-grid and mini-grid electricity projects to rural communities, hospitals, universities and markets.

Agriculture, Exports and Local Government Reforms

The President disclosed that the National Agricultural Development Fund had commenced the deployment of 10,000 tractors over five years to boost food production and agricultural mechanisation.

He further revealed that more than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises had been certified for export, while non-oil exports recorded a 21 per cent increase in the past year.

Despite these gains, Tinubu admitted that many Nigerians continued to face economic hardship, pledging that his administration would remain focused on reducing inflation, creating jobs and improving living standards.

He reiterated support for local government autonomy, arguing that ineffective grassroots governance had contributed significantly to insecurity and underdevelopment.

According to him, granting financial autonomy to the nation’s 774 local government councils is a critical component of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Kaduna Institute Renamed After Yar’Adua

In a major announcement, Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna after the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.

The institution will now be known as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology, in recognition of the late statesman’s contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development.

National Honours for Democracy Activists

The President also announced that dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists, politicians and military officers who suffered persecution, imprisonment and exile during the struggle for democratic rule would receive national honours.

Among those named were Debo Adeniran, Ayo Opadokun, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, Niran Malaolu, Femi Aborisade, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, Ike Okonta and several military officers who played roles in the June 12 struggle.

Tinubu said the full honours list would be released in the coming days.

Concluding his address, the President urged Nigerians to remain united and optimistic despite current challenges.

He said while Nigeria’s founding fathers secured independence and the June 12 generation secured democracy, the responsibility of the current generation is to secure prosperity and economic freedom for all citizens.

“The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom,” Tinubu declared.

He called on Nigerians to reject division and despair, insisting that the nation would overcome its challenges and continue progressing toward greater prosperity and stability.