President Bola Tinubu paid tribute to former president Muhammadu Buhari for instituting June 12 as Democracy Day and honoured numerous heroes who fought for Nigeria’s democracy
President Bola Tinubu has paid a significant tribute to former president Muhammadu Buhari for his pivotal role in establishing June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
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He also specifically acknowledged Buhari for officially recognising Chief MKO Abiola as the duly elected president of Nigeria following the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Tinubu delivered this tribute during his address on Thursday at the Joint Session of the National Assembly, held in commemoration of Nigeria’s 2025 Democracy Day.
The President also extended his profound appreciation to other heroes who contributed to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Whilst Abiola was the June 12’s central figure, Nigerians must not forget the long list of those who equally deserved to be called heroes of Nigerian democracy.
He specifically highlighted the courage of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and Pa Alfred Rewane, both of whom were tragically murdered by agents of military repression.
“We also remember the many civil rights activists, journalists, and politicians imprisoned, exiled, tossed aside, tortured and beaten by the military regime,” Tinubu added, acknowledging the immense sacrifices made.
President Tinubu also honoured late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Balarabe Musa, Ganiyu Dawodu, Bagauda Kaltho, and Commodore Ndubuisi Kanu.
He clarified the scope of his tribute: “I mention these names not to exclude or degrade the profound contributions of anyone else but to illustrate, through these few heroes, the universality of our pursuit of democracy.”
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The President concluded by emphasising the pan Nigerian nature of the struggle: “The struggle was never the province of any one group or section of the country, it was pan Nigerian in its conception and will be even more as we strive to perfect it.”