Democracy Day: Tinubu Warns Bandits, Kidnappers To Surrender

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to continue to defend the country’s democracy despite its imperfections, saying the nation’s democratic journey remains a collective responsibility.

Tinubu made the call in his Democracy Day address to Nigerians, where he said the country had, since May 29, 1999, continued to choose its leaders through the ballot.

He noted that in the past 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, Nigerians had witnessed peaceful transitions of power and resolved political disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers instead of through violence.

“Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it,” the President said.

Tinubu also appealed to Nigerians, especially the youth, to remain committed to the country and play active roles in its development.

According to him, the future of Nigeria depends on young people who are willing to stay, innovate and contribute to nation-building.

“Nigeria is your home and your future,” he said.

“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.”

The President also commended members of the armed forces, the police, intelligence agencies, traditional rulers, faith leaders and community heads for their contributions to national peace and stability.

“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,” he added.

Tinubu said the June 12 commemoration remained an opportunity to honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to give up their belief in freedom and democracy.

He said the day also served as a reminder of the courage of those who stood against intimidation during Nigeria’s struggle for democratic rule.

“We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy,” he said.

“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.”

The President announced the renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.

He also said national honours would be conferred on Nigerians who “suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.”

Tinubu said the full honours list would be released in the coming days.

The President said this year’s Democracy Day celebration was dampened by the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states.

“We remain hopeful for their safe return,” Tinubu said.

He stressed that democracy could not thrive without security, adding that his administration had taken major steps to strengthen the country’s security architecture.

“Democracy without security is a mirage. 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,” he said.

Tinubu said the government had moved from training with international allies, including the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting of terrorists.

“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. 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,” he added.

The President issued a strong warning to bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism, saying the government would not show mercy to those who continued to threaten the lives of Nigerians.

“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,” he warned.

Tinubu also urged Nigerians not to give crime ethnic or religious colouration, saying national unity was needed to defeat insecurity.

“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,” he said.

In his Democracy Day message, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, urged Nigerians to renew their commitment to democracy, unity and peaceful coexistence.

The message was issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado.

Mohammed called on citizens to work collectively with government at all levels to build a more prosperous and secure nation.

He said Nigeria’s democratic journey should be guided by tolerance, justice, accountability and mutual respect, regardless of political, ethnic or religious differences.

The governor added that national development could only be achieved when leaders and citizens remained committed to peace, stability and inclusive governance.

He also appealed to residents to remain law-abiding and support ongoing efforts to strengthen security by providing timely and credible information to relevant authorities.

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, described democracy as the most reliable pathway to sustainable development.

In his message to mark the 2026 Democracy Day, Yahaya said the progress recorded in Gombe reflected the gains of democratic governance anchored on vision, accountability and people-centred leadership.

He said achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and industrialisation were made possible through deliberate policies, institutional stability and citizens’ participation in governance.

According to him, the transformation witnessed in the state over the years demonstrates the value of uninterrupted civilian rule and responsible leadership.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, also called on Nigerians to protect the country’s hard-earned democracy and support the reforms being implemented by President Tinubu.

Yilwatda, in a statement by his spokesperson, Abimbola Tooki, described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history and a reminder of the sacrifices made for justice, electoral integrity and popular sovereignty.

He said Democracy Day was not just a public holiday but a symbol of resilience and the enduring belief that the people’s voice must prevail in governance.

The APC chairman noted that democracy had provided Nigeria with a platform for political participation, accountability, protection of rights and national development.

He urged political leaders, civil society groups, the media, religious bodies and youth organisations to promote dialogue, tolerance and respect for the rule of law in order to strengthen democratic institutions.

Yilwatda also appealed for sustained support for Tinubu’s economic and institutional reforms, saying they were aimed at repositioning the country for growth, stability, job creation and improved investment opportunities.