By Deborah Nnamdi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended former President Muhammadu Buhari for his landmark decision to designate June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
Speaking during a special address to a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday in celebration of Democracy Day, Tinubu described Buhari’s move as a profound step toward national reconciliation and a courageous redress of historical political wrongs.
He lauded Buhari for formally recognizing the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election and for officially acknowledging Chief M.K.O. Abiola and his running mate, Babagana Kingibe, as the rightful winners.
He said: “President Buhari made a profound choice to confront our democratic history and restore truth to the national record. By recognizing June 12 as Democracy Day, he affirmed the people’s will and honored those who fought for our freedom.”
He described the moment as deeply personal and emotional, reflecting on his role in the pro-democracy struggle that resisted military rule in the 1990s. “As I stepped into this revered chamber, I was overwhelmed by a sense of duty and gratitude,” he told lawmakers.
“Our democracy, once trampled by military boots, has risen resiliently to become the cornerstone of our governance.”
Tinubu said his administration would continue to protect the sacrifices made by the forefathers to ensure a stable democracy.
“Since 2018, we have marked June 12 to honor those who stood against tyranny. Today, I renew my vow before God and the Nigerian people: I will do everything in my power to defend and deepen our democracy,” he said.
June 12, once a date of mourning and protest, is now observed annually as a national holiday to remember the historic 1993 election.
The election is widely considered the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, which was controversially annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
