Democracy Day: Tinubu Honours Joe Igbokwe, June 12 Heroes, Unveils Security and Economic Reforms

President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on 51 distinguished Nigerians, including All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Joe Igbokwe, pro-democracy activists, media veterans, and retired military officers who played pivotal roles in Nigeria's struggle against military dictatorship.

In his nationwide broadcast to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebration and 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, President Tinubu paid glowing tribute to the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election. He noted that although Nigeria's democracy remains a work in progress, it continues to be the strongest platform for achieving national development and prosperity.

Among those honoured were National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) leaders Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obioha, and Dr. Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous). The President also recognised notable media personalities, including Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Sir Ademola Osinubi, and Dele Alake, as well as democracy activists such as Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, and Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine.

Tinubu further celebrated several retired military officers he described as "soldier-democrats" for their resistance to military rule. Those recognised include retired Colonels Sambo Dasuki and Lawan Gwadabe, Major-General Ishola Williams, and the Etsu Nupe, Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar (retd).

As part of efforts to immortalise pro-democracy figures, the President approved the renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, to the General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.

Addressing the nation's security situation, particularly the recent abduction of students in Oyo and Borno states, Tinubu stressed that democracy cannot thrive without security. He disclosed that the 2026 budget allocates a record N5.41 trillion to defence and security, alongside plans to recruit more than 50,000 police officers to strengthen internal security operations.

The President issued a stern warning to bandits, kidnappers, and terror sponsors, urging them to surrender or face decisive action from the government. He stated that opportunities for surrender would not remain open indefinitely, while noting that terror-related fatalities have reportedly declined by 81 per cent since 2015, with over 13,000 terrorists neutralised within the past year.

On the economy, Tinubu defended his administration's reform agenda, describing it as essential to stabilising public finances and laying the foundation for sustainable growth. He said the next phase of his administration would focus on ensuring that the benefits of democracy translate into improved living standards through efforts to curb inflation and stimulate local production.

To tackle Nigeria's persistent electricity challenges, the President announced that the Presidential Power Sector Task Force had been authorised to raise a N4 trillion bond to settle legacy debts within the power sector. He added that the implementation of the Electricity Act, which empowers states to generate and distribute electricity independently, is already delivering positive outcomes.

Reaffirming his commitment to grassroots development, Tinubu reiterated his administration's support for full financial autonomy for the country's 774 local government areas. He argued that the weakening of local governance structures has contributed significantly to rising insecurity in rural communities.

The President also called on political leaders, institutions, and citizens to safeguard Nigeria's democratic values ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. According to him, while the nation's founding fathers secured independence and the June 12 generation fought for democracy, the responsibility of the present generation is to secure prosperity for all Nigerians.