As Nigeria marked Democracy Day on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu delivered a strong message in support of free speech, calling on security agencies and political allies to respect the right of citizens to voice criticism, even when directed at his administration.
Speaking at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja during his third Democracy Day address, the President emphasized the importance of tolerance in a democratic society.
“Democracy requires a fair degree of tolerance for harsh words and stinging insults,” Tinubu declared before members of the Senate and House of Representatives.
“Call me names, call me whatever you will, and I will still call upon democracy to defend your right to do so.”
The President’s remarks come amid ongoing concerns from civil society organisations and media watchdogs about alleged repression of journalists and critics by state security agents.
Several Nigerian journalists, including Daniel Ojukwu, Adejuwon Soyinka, and Segun Olatunji, have reportedly faced detention in the past two years under controversial interpretations of the Cybercrime Prohibition Act 2015 and other laws. Critics argue these actions violate Chapter 4, Section 39(a) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression and information.
Referring to those concerns, Tinubu told lawmakers and his supporters to champion constructive dialogue over coercion.
“Be tolerant and broad-minded in your legislative action regarding speech and civil liberties,” he said.
Tinubu’s administration has been criticized by media professionals, civil rights activists, and groups such as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria), who have decried what they describe as a rise in “Gestapo-style” arrests and censorship of dissenting voices.
Such tactics, they say, evoke the repression of Nigeria’s military era, something they believe has no place in a democratic nation 26 years into civilian rule.
Acknowledging these concerns, the President appeared to distance himself from any actions that might suppress free expression.
“Do not be afraid to hear an unkind word spoken against you. Some of the best advice a politician gets sometimes comes from his most ferocious opponents,” Tinubu said.
“We dare not seek silence because the imposed silence of repressed voices breeds chaos and ill will, not the harmonics of democracy in the long term.”
“While malicious slander and libel should not go unattended, no one should bear the brunt of injustice for merely writing a bad report about me or calling me names.”
Tinubu reaffirmed his belief in the strength and potential of Nigeria’s democratic system.
“Our nation is not perfect, but it is strong. Our democracy is not invincible, but it is alive. And this means our dream of a prosperous, happy nation is still within reach and worth fighting for.”
The President also addressed growing concerns about Nigeria potentially evolving into a one-party state, an allegation made by some opposition figures.
Tinubu firmly dismissed those claims.
As the country reflects on its democratic journey, one anchored in the legacy of the June 12, 1993 election, Tinubu’s emphasis on civil liberties is being closely watched by both supporters and critics as a test of the administration’s commitment to democratic ideals.
