In his highly anticipated first Democracy Day speech as President, Bola Tinubu delivered a powerful message emphasizing unity, service to the people, and defending the legitimacy of his election victory.
Addressing the nation, he took a firm stand against those contesting the outcome of the elections, including the Presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
President Tinubu began by acknowledging the intense competition and contested nature of the polls, which he saw as a positive sign of a thriving democracy.
“That the polls were intensely contested is in itself positive evidence that democracy is well and alive in our land. It is only natural that even as those who won and experienced victory in the various elections are elated and fulfilled, those who lost are disenchanted and disappointed,” he said.
President Tinubu also highlighted the fundamental principle of democracy, where winners and losers coexist, as a testament to the strength of the nation’s democratic practice.
“The beauty of democracy is that those who win today can lose tomorrow and those who lose today will have an opportunity to compete and win in the next round of elections,” he said.
The President stressed the importance of accepting defeat graciously and the value of seeking redress through the legal channels provided by the constitution.
He reaffirmed that democracy is the best form of government, allowing citizens to exercise their rights and ensuring that the will of the people prevails.
“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.
“Above all, 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,” the President said.
Expressing gratitude for the trust and belief placed in his administration, President Tinubu assured the nation that sacrifices made would not be in vain.
He outlined his commitment to making substantial investments in critical areas such as transportation infrastructure, education, reliable power supply, healthcare, and other public utilities to enhance the overall quality of life for Nigerians.
Drawing inspiration from the late MKO Abiola, who fought for a democracy that prioritized the welfare of the people, President Tinubu urged everyone to rekindle the spirit of unity and service.
He called upon elected officials across the executive and legislative branches to fulfill their promises and deliver tangible democracy dividends to the people they represent.