President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on Monday gave his first Democracy Day Speech as the country marks 24 years of democratic rule.
Tinubu, in the broadcast, highlighted the importance of June 12 and democracy for the lot of the nation.
He also addressed the challenges faced by citizens at this watershed moment in the nation’s history while reiterating that his administration is committed to fulfill every component of his electoral pact with the people as spelt out within the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
Here are five takeaways from the speech:
1. Democracy shouldn’t be taken for granted
The president urged Nigerians never to take democracy for granted.
We must forever jealously guard and protect it like a precious jewel. For, a people can never truly appreciate the freedoms and rights democracy guarantees them until they lose it.
We have traversed the dark, thorny path of dictatorship before and those who experienced it can readily testify to the unbridgeable gap between the dignity of freedom and the humiliation and degradation of tyranny. True, rancorous debates, interminable wrangling, ceaseless quarrels, bitter electoral contestations may be perceived by some as unattractive features of democracy. But they also testify to its merit and value.
2. Democracy well and alive
On the basis of the conduct of the 2023 general elections and the fact it was so keenly contested is a positive evidence that democracy is very much alive and well in Nigeria.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. But 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.
3. Unnecessary illegal orders used to truncate democracy will no longer be tolerated
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.
4. Judicial reform has just begun
The democracy that will yield right dividends to the people who are the shareholders means more than just freedom of choice and right to get people into elective offices.
It means social and economic justice for our people. To the winner of June 12, democracy offers the best chance to fight and eliminate poverty.
Thirty years ago, he christened his campaign manifesto, ‘Farewell to Poverty’ because he was convinced that there is nothing divine about poverty. It is a man-made problem that can be eliminated with clearly thought out social and economic policies.
5. I admit subsidy removal will impose extra burden
I gave effect to the decision taken by my predecessor-in-office to remove the fuel subsidy albatross and free up for collective use the much-needed resources, which had hitherto been pocketed by a few rich. I admit that the decision will impose extra burden on the masses of our people. I feel your pain. This is one decision we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.
Painfully, I have asked you, my compatriots, to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country. For your trust and belief in us, I assure you that your sacrifice shall not be in vain. The government I lead will repay you through massive investment in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and other public utilities that will improve the quality of lives.