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On Monday, June 12, 2023, Nigeria celebrated its Democracy Day and President Bola Tinubu delivered his first Democracy Day speech as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
President Tinubu in his speech pay more attention to fuel subsidy removal, the February 25 presidential election, the sacrifice and martyrdom of late MKO Abiola, what Nigerians should expect from his government and more.
Here are the 12 takeaways from the President’s speech:
- On democracy, President Tinubu reminded Nigerians that Nigeira’s democracy is steadily growing to become the defining essence of the country’s polity and that it was not gifted to on a silver platter.
- On fuel subsidy, Tinubu admitted that the decision to remove payments will impose an extra burden on the masses and that he feels the pains of Nigerians.
- The former Lagos State Governor asked Nigerians to sacrifice a little more for the survival of the country.
- He assured Nigerians that their sacrifice shall not be in vain.
- Tinubu promised that his government will repay Nigerians through massive investment in transportation, infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and other public utilities that will improve the quality of life.
- He urged those who have been privileged to be elected into public offices at various levels in both the executive and legislative arms of government to recommit themselves to offering selfless service to the people and delivering concrete democracy dividends in accordance with electoral promises.
- The president pledged commitment to diligently fulfill every component of his electoral pact with the people – the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
- He vowed to be faithful to the truth; faithful to equity and faithful to justice.
- Tinubu stressed his administration will exercise the authority and mandate to govern with fairness, respect for the rule of law, and commitment to always uphold the dignity of all people.
- He recognised 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. He also recognised Pa Alfred Rewane, one of the heroes of the struggle for independence and Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (rtd), who were silenced by the military junta while in pursuit of democracy.
- Tinubu said 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.
- He said 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.