Democracy Day: Tinubu demands peaceful governorship elections in Ekiti, Osun

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Bola Tinubu has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and political parties to ensure that the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states are peaceful, transparent and credible.

The President made the appeal on Friday during his Democracy Day address to the nation, warning that public confidence in democracy depends largely on the integrity of the electoral process.

With both states preparing to head to the polls in the coming days, Tinubu stressed the need for all stakeholders to uphold democratic values and ensure that voters are allowed to freely exercise their constitutional rights.

“In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process,” the President said.

Tinubu used the occasion of Nigeria’s 27th anniversary of uninterrupted democratic rule to reflect on the country’s democratic journey since the return to civilian governance in 1999.

According to him, Nigeria has successfully sustained peaceful transfers of power through the ballot box and resolved political disputes through democratic institutions rather than violence.

The President also called on the National Assembly, the judiciary, the media and civil society organisations to continue safeguarding democratic institutions and strengthening public trust in governance.

“To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria,” he stated.

Tinubu further appealed to young Nigerians to actively participate in the democratic process, urging them to build their future in the country through innovation, enterprise and voting.

“Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship,” he said.

The President described June 12 as a defining chapter in Nigeria’s history and urged citizens to remain committed to unity, democratic governance and national development.

He expressed optimism that the upcoming elections would further strengthen Nigeria’s democratic credentials and reinforce public confidence in the country’s electoral system.