I’ll preserve democracy, protect citizens’ freedom – Tinubu

President Tinubu delivering his broadcast address, June 12, 2024

Published By: Isa Isawade

President Bola Tinubu has vowed to preserve democracy and protect the rights, freedom and liberty of citizens of Nigeria.

Tinubu said this in a national broadcast to mark the 2024 Democracy Day and the 25th year of uninterrupted democratic rule in the country.

The President said that as a beneficiary of the historic efforts of the heroes of democracy, he was morally bound to preserve the present form of government.

“I stand uniquely placed in this regard. I was among those who took the risk to midwife the birth of our democracy. I am now a direct and obvious beneficiary of the fruits of those historic efforts.

“As President of this nation, I am morally and constitutionally bound to preserve this precious form of governance.

“I vow to do my utmost best to protect your rights, freedoms, and liberties as citizens of Nigeria.

“Even more than that, I pledge to do whatever is necessary to cement democracy as our way of life,” he said.

The President expressed gratitude to Nigerians for the opportunity to lead the country and promised not to turn his back on them.

He urged Nigerians to beware of those trying to exploit the current challenges in the country to undermine and destroy the democracy for which so much had already been given.

• Sacrifices made by Abiola, others for democracy can never be repaid – Tinubu
• Minimum wage: Tinubu to send bill to National Assembly to enshrine agreement
• Tinubu salutes heroes, heroines of democracy (Full text of Democracy Day broadcast)

According to him, as Nigerians, we must remind ourselves that no matter how complicated democracy may be, it is the best form of governance in the long run.

“We must also be aware that there are those among us who will try to exploit current challenges to undermine, if not destroy this democracy for which so much has already been given.

“These people do this not to make things better but to subject all other people and things to their control and dominance until the point that, if you are not counted among their elite, then your life will be small and no longer owned by you,” he said.

Tinubu added that “I understand the economic difficulties we face as a nation.

“Our economy has been in desperate need of reform for decades. It has been unbalanced because it was built on the flawed foundation of over-reliance on revenues from the exploitation of oil.

“The reforms we have initiated are intended to create a stronger, better foundation for future growth.

“There is no doubt the reforms have occasioned hardship, yet, they are necessary repairs required to fix the economy over the long run so that everyone has access to economic opportunity, fair pay and compensation for his endeavour and labour,” he said.

Tinubu said his government was aware of the proper way forward to move the country and would take it.

He acknowledged those who laid down their lives, sacrificing everything to pave the way for the nation and pledged to do all that was necessary to cement democracy in the country.