From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that he will not retaliate against critics or those who insult him, pledging instead to safeguard their democratic rights to free speech.
Speaking during a special joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday to commemorate Democracy Day 2025, Tinubu underscored his commitment to tolerance, open political space, and the preservation of democratic principles.
At the House of Representatives complex, Tinubu said, “Call me names, call me whatever you will, and I will still call upon democracy to defend your right to do so. We dare not seek silence because the imposed silence of repressed voices breeds chaos and ill will, not the harmonics of democracy.” He urged lawmakers to embrace dialogue, uphold civil liberties, and remain open to criticism, noting, “Some of the best advice a politician gets sometimes comes from his most ferocious opponents.”
Addressing concerns about the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to suppress political opposition, Tinubu dismissed claims of a one-party state as “panic in error.” He referenced his past as the last progressive governor standing in the South-West in 2003, stating, “At no time past, present, or future shall I ever support the idea of a one-party state. Nigeria will not become such a state now.” While welcoming defectors from Delta and Akwa Ibom to the APC, he emphasized that political diversity must be preserved for national well-being.
Tinubu highlighted economic progress under his administration, citing a 3.4% GDP growth in 2024, with Q4 reaching 4.6%, the highest in over a decade. He noted easing inflation, stabilizing food prices, a strengthened Naira, and a fivefold increase in foreign reserves. “States no longer need to borrow just to pay salaries,” he said, attributing this to sound economic management
On social welfare, Tinubu announced that over 100,000 Nigerians, including 35,000 civil servants, have accessed consumer credit through CREDICORP, with plans to reach 400,000 more by July 2025. Investments in education, vocational training, and a nationwide fibre optic rollout aim to empower youth and bridge the digital divide. He called on lawmakers to support job-creating legislation, food security laws, and tax reform bills.[](https://www.legit.ng/nigeria/1659431-25-important-takeaways-tinubus-powerful-democracy-day-speec/)
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in an emotional address, paid tribute to June 12, 1993, heroes, describing their sacrifices as the bedrock of Nigeria’s democracy. “We observe not the triumph of politicians, but the enduring faith of the Nigerian people in democracy, a faith that braved teargas, defied armored tanks, endured silence, and still chose the ballot over the bullet,” he said.
Akpabio praised Tinubu’s role in NADECO and the pro-democracy struggle, noting, “While others chose silence or compromise, you chose courage.” He proposed a June 12 Museum to preserve this legacy, warning, “Nations that forget their past lose the moral compass for their future.”
Marking the 10th National Assembly’s second anniversary, Akpabio listed legislative achievements: 844 bills introduced, 96 passed, 52 signed into law, 26 executive bills acted upon, and 18 of 80 citizen petitions resolved. These bills addressed education, local government autonomy, tax reform, agriculture, and regional development. “History teaches us that nations prosper most when the Executive governs with vision and the Legislature guides with wisdom,” he said.
Akpabio reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to policies uplifting the poor, empowering youth, and defending Nigerians’ dignity, stating, “We owe it to those who fought. We owe it to those who fell. We owe it to those who still believe.”