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By Gloria Ikibah

The European Union (EU) has congratulated Nigeria on the occasion of Democracy Day, commending the country’s democratic progress while emphasising that democracy remains a continuous process that must be nurtured through participation, accountability and inclusive governance.

In a Democracy Day message, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, described democracy as more than an event or milestone, stressing that it is sustained through active citizen engagement and strong institutions.

“Democracy is not a single moment. It is a movement, free conversations leading to decisions, millions of voices demanding to be heard, and taken into account. Democracy is a daily duty. It thrives in the work of institutions, in the participation of citizens, in peaceful dialogue, and in the belief that progress must belong to everyone,” he said.

Reflecting on the significance of June 12, Mignot noted that the day offers Nigerians an opportunity to remember the end of military rule and assess the country’s democratic journey.

The EU envoy acknowledged that Nigeria’s democracy has continued to evolve despite numerous challenges, driven by citizen participation, dialogue and the aspirations of its people.

“Today, Nigeria marks Democracy Day, remembering the end of the dark days of dictatorship, a moment to reflect on the democratic journey, and on the millions of Nigerians, who continue to struggle to shape its future every single day.

“Nigeria’s democracy continues to evolve, shaped by participation, strengthened through dialogue, and driven by the energy and aspirations of its people: from communities demanding accountability to young people redefining civic participation, to women expanding the space for leadership and representation.

“Across Nigeria and in spite of many challenges, democracy continues to grow through resilience, reform and inclusion,” he added.

Mignot reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic institutions and processes through various initiatives, particularly the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme.

“The European Union is proud to stand alongside Nigeria in that journey. Through the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme, we are supporting institutions, partnerships and democratic processes that help strengthen participation, dialogue and inclusive engagement.
“We are supporting Nigeria’s electoral umpire in areas that improve broader participation, democratic engagement, institutional learning, and the continued evolution of the electoral processes in Nigeria.

According to him, the EU has continued to provide support to Nigeria’s electoral system, peace-building initiatives and justice sector reforms aimed at strengthening democratic governance.

“We are working alongside the National Peace Committee and partners across the country, to encourage peaceful participation, democratic dialogue, and national cohesion, before, during and beyond elections.

“We are supporting legislative engagement, policy dialogue and collaboration across the justice sector in ways that help to strengthen accountability, democratic practice and the rule of law,” he said.

The ambassador also highlighted ongoing efforts to promote greater inclusion of women, young people and persons with disabilities in governance and democratic participation.

“Across the country, we also continue to support greater inclusion for women, young people and persons with disabilities, because democracy is strongest when more voices are represented,” he noted.

Addressing the challenges posed by the digital age, Mignot said the EU remains committed to supporting independent media organisations, civic information platforms and fact-checking networks to strengthen democratic discourse.

“And in a rapidly changing digital environment, we continue to support the independent media, civic information platforms and verification networks working to strengthen public information and democratic discourse.

“Because democracy depends on participation, on accountability, on peaceful dialogue, and on citizens believing their voices still matter. Across Nigeria, we continue to see that belief taking shape,” he said.

He pointed to the growing civic consciousness among Nigerians, particularly younger generations, as evidence of democracy’s resilience.

“In classrooms, in newsroHjoms, in town halls, in communities and in the energy of a new generation, determined to shape the future,” he remarked.

Mignot further noted that through the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy, the bloc would continue investing in partnerships that promote opportunity, participation and long-term development.

“Through the Global Gateway Strategy, the European Union continues to invest in partnerships that expand opportunity, strengthen participation and support long-term resilience for the next generation.

“Because democracy is never finished, it must never be taken for granted. It must be protected, strengthened and renewed together.

“Happy Democracy Day, Nigeria,” he said.

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OUR GENERATION MUST SECURE PROSPERITY

By Bola Tinubu

Today, we celebrate democracy and the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence. We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.

In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.

To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.

To our armed forces, police, and intelligence services: Nigeria salutes your sacrifice. To our traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads: thank you for your support of peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.

Today, we honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom, and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy. I salute labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers—both those who have passed and those still with us—for their patriotic contributions.

Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is not solid enough. That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.

We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.

To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.

At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.

June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story. We remember Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.

We also remember Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and the many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.

As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.

June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.

The reforms we are undertaking were not chosen for ease, but for necessity. Three years ago, our public finances were under severe strain, investment was discouraged, and economic uncertainty threatened our future. We chose to act, embracing reforms to advance Nigeria’s economic freedom.

Since 2023, our reforms have restored stability and credibility to economic management. Federation revenues have risen, providing states and local governments with more resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security. Fiscal transparency has improved, leakage has been reduced, and public funds are better directed to national priorities. Investor confidence has returned, with investments in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation, and the creative industries growing.

Domestic refining capacity has increased, strengthening energy security and reducing our reliance on imported petroleum products.

By 2023, when we came on board, the electricity sector was characterised by chronic generation shortfalls, an unreliable gas supply, and transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not evacuate available power. Distribution companies were burdened by massive losses and a metering deficit of over four million. Worst of all, the value chain was drowning in legacy debt. The result was a sector that generated less than the 13,500 Megawatts installed capacity, a sector that transmitted less than it generated, distributed less than it transmitted and collected revenue far below what it needed to sustain itself.

To address the problems besetting the sector, I signed the Electricity Act, which grants states authority to generate, transmit, and distribute power. The Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working hard to reduce the metering deficit. It has also been authorised to raise N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts. The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals. Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it.

Across the country, infrastructure projects are connecting producers to markets and creating opportunities for enterprise and employment. The National Agricultural Development Fund is deploying 10,000 tractors over five years. Over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export. Non-oil exports grew by 21% last year.

Yet, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding confidence in our economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity.

We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region. We believe that Democracy must be felt in the pocket.

Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils. A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance.

Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.

Let us move forward together—rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence. Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.

Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership. In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.

I am also pleased to announce national awards to the following Nigerians, who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.

Barrister Ayoka Lawani
Tunde Fagbenle
Oladele Alake
Olatunji Bello
Louis Odion
Segun Babatope
Sam Omatseye
Sir Ademola Osinubi
Bola Bolawole
Lade Bonuola
Femi Kusa
Debo Adeniran
Chief Ayo Opadokun
Chief Ralph Obiora
Ose Osayande
Barrister Osa Director
Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine
Dr Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous)
Dr Osagie Obayuwana
Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin
Barrister Titus Mann
Joe Igbokwe
Richard Akinnola
Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous)
George Mbah
Dr Niran Malaolu
Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd)
Femi Aborisade
Jenkins Alumona
Gbemiga Ogunleye
Muyiwa Adekeye
Babajide Kolade-Otitoju
Ike Okonta

We also recognise the soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle:
Major General MA Garba
Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
Col Umar Farouk Ahmed;
Col Sambo Dasuki;
Col Lawan Gwadabe;
Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong
Col Musa Shehu;
Major General Chris Eze;
Major General Harris Dzarma;
Col Isa Jibrin;
Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin;
Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)
Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
Col J Okai;
Col Emmanuel Ndubueze;
Lt Col Yakubu Muazu
Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Current Etsu Nupe, who is already the holder of the CFR title.

The honours list will be released in the next few days.

Fellow Nigerians, 27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity sustains our democracy. The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.

Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land.

May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to bless us all.

*Happy Democracy Day.*

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Presidential Candidate for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has admonished Nigerians to let the June 12 they celebrate today be a critical assessment of the nation’s political landscape.
The 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate also wants a repeat of the 1993 credible election in 2027.

Writing on his X handle this morning, Obi said, “Today, we are observing a day that should mean a lot to us as a people who cherish democratic principles. Every year on June 12, the conversation inevitably turns to a critical assessment of the state of the nation. It serves as an annual baseline for asking: Are our current elections as transparent as they were in 1993? Is the social contract being honoured? Are the institutions of governance truly serving the people?

Ultimately, June 12 is a powerful blend of reflection and aspiration. It honours a fractured past while serving as a constant, foundational reminder of the immense power inherent in the collective democratic will of the Nigerian people.

For us in Nigeria, June 12 is not merely a date on the calendar; it is the emotional and structural bedrock of the modern democratic identity. Officially recognised as Democracy Day, June 12 carries deep historical, political, and social weight, representing both a monumental tragedy and the ultimate triumph of the collective citizen will.

To understand what June 12 means to Nigeria, one must look at its history, its evolution, and its ongoing symbolism. A New Nigeria of true democracy is possible.