By Habeeb Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a powerful Democracy Day speech before a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, declaring that while Nigeria’s democracy remains a work in progress, it is alive, resilient, and worth fighting for.
In his speech, Tinubu acknowledged the imperfections of the nation but called on Nigerians to hold fast to the dream of a prosperous country built on democratic ideals.
“Our nation is not perfect, but it is strong. Our democracy is not invincible, but it is alive,” the President said. “And this means our dream of a prosperous, happy nation is still within reach and worth fighting for.”
Standing before lawmakers at the legislative complex in Abuja, Tinubu paid tribute to the heroes of the June 12 struggle, notably Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Pa Alfred Rewane, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, and others who, according to him, “preserved our right to elect our leaders and to be heard.”
In one of the speech’s most striking passages, President Tinubu sought to debunk what he described as “a terrible rumour”, that his administration or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) aims to establish a one-party state.
“A one-party state is not in the offing. Nor should it ever be,” he said emphatically. “I would be the last person to advocate such a scheme.”
Referencing his political history, Tinubu recalled how he stood alone as the last opposition governor in the Southwest in 2003 and criticized former ruling party attempts to consolidate absolute control.
“Even with all their false grandeur, they could not control our national destiny because fate is written from above,” he said. “Nigeria will not become a one-party state.”
The President highlighted key achievements of his administration over the past year, pointing to 2024’s GDP growth of 3.4%, inflation easing, improved foreign reserves, and a stabilized naira.
He also mentioned efforts to lay nationwide fibre optic cables to bridge the digital divide and boost economic inclusion.
As Nigeria marks 26 years of uninterrupted democracy since 1999, Tinubu’s address reinforced a central message: despite the challenges, the democratic experiment is ongoing, vibrant, and fueled by collective sacrifice.
“The struggle was never the province of any one group,” he stated. “It was pan-Nigerian in its conception and will be even more pan-Nigerian as we strive to perfect it.” he noted!
