As Nigeria marks 26 years of unbroken democratic rule, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has called on Nigerians to honour the sacrifices of June 12 heroes by remaining vigilant stewards of democracy.
“We can only immortalise them by ensuring that we guide and guard our democracy. That we work to bring development to Nigeria. Democracy without development is empty and is bound to fail,, Akume said in a welcome address at the Democracy Day public lecture held Thursday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja
The SGF paid tribute to the sacrifices by countless Nigerians in the fight against military dictatorship, emphasising that the democratic freedoms enjoyed today were earned through blood, sacrifice, and resilience.
“Today’s celebration would not have been possible were it not for the commitment and determination of the ordinary Nigerian citizens who stood strong in the face of military oppression, brutality, and rights denial.
“The June 12 struggle was a watershed, as millions of our countrymen and women poured out on the streets from Lagos to Ilorin, Kaduna to Kano, Ibadan to Makurdi, Bauchi to Jos, Port Harcourt to Enugu,” he said.
He stressed tthe mass protests of the 1990s coalesced into a national movement that ultimately led to the democratic rebirth Nigeria celebrates today.
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“We are here today because many fought. Many died. Many were brutalised. Many disappeared. Many lost limbs. Many were imprisoned. Many gave up all their resources and many never recovered. To all of them we owe a debt of gratitude,” he said solemnly.
Against the backdrop of growing political instability in parts of Africa, Akume said Nigeria’s commitment to democracy stood out as a beacon.
“At a period when many African countries are sliding back into military rule and dictatorship, Nigeria is powering forward in democratic rule. Even though we have not attained the democratic heights envisioned, we are confident that our path is straight and will lead us to our desired destination”, he observed.
The SGF commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his democratic credentials and bold reform agenda, describing him as “a leader who knows and is a foot soldier of democracy as well as a patriot to the core.
“As a key figure in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy, Bola Ahmed Tinubu indeed faced challenges and made sacrifices in his pursuit of democratic governance. His efforts contributed to the country’s transition to democracy and his commitment to democratic principles has been notable,” Akume noted.
He praised President Tinubu’s administration for embarking on an “unprecedented journey to re-engineer Nigeria” through economic revitalization, infrastructure development, and targeted reforms.