As Nigeria marked the 2026 Democracy Day on Friday, June 12, many stakeholders seized the opportunity to dissect the challenges besetting the current system and proffer solutions that will birth a true democratic culture in the country.

This is even as President Bola Tinubu on Friday announced plans to confer national honours on scores of military officers, journalists, politicians and civil society activists who played significant roles in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy, saying the nation must continue to recognise those who sacrificed for the freedom Nigerians enjoy today.

The President made the announcement on Friday in his nationwide address to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, where he paid glowing tribute to the heroes of the June 12 movement and other pro-democracy campaigners who resisted military rule and fought for the restoration of democratic governance.

Tinubu said the honourees endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, harassment and other forms of victimisation during the struggle to actualise the June 12, 1993, presidential election and entrench democratic rule in the country.

According to him, the awards are intended to recognise the sacrifices of individuals who stood firm in defence of democratic ideals despite threats to their personal safety and livelihoods.

“I am pleased to announce national awards to Nigerians who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today,” the President stated.

Among those listed for national honours are veteran journalists and media practitioners including Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Richard Akinnola, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye and Babajide Kolade-Otitoju.

Also nominated are prominent democracy activists and political figures such as Chief Ayo Opadokun, Debo Adeniran, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona and George Mbah.

The President equally recognised a group of military officers whom he described as “soldier-democrats” for their contributions to the struggle against military authoritarianism and support for democratic governance during the turbulent post-June 12 era.

Those listed include Maj. Gen. M.A. Garba, Brig. Gen. Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Col. Umar Farouk Ahmed, Col. Sambo Dasuki, Col. Lawan Gwadabe, Brig. Gen. Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Maj. Gen. Chris Eze, Maj. Gen. Harris Dzarma, Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin and Brig. Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe.

Tinubu said the complete honours list and details of the awards would be released in the coming days.

The President also announced the renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna in honour of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, one of the leading figures in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

According to him, the institution will henceforth be known as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.

The President used the occasion to pay tribute to the late Chief MKO Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, as well as other icons of the democracy movement, including Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.

He noted that the sacrifices of the June 12 heroes laid the foundation for Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule and urged Nigerians to preserve and strengthen democratic institutions.

Making a similar call in his Democracy Day speech, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, urged Nigerians to bear in mind that democracy has not failed, but that they have only been let down by the errors in their independent and collective decisions.

He stated that the blame for the disappointments of the post-1999 years belongs entirely to them, as leaders and citizens, not to democracy or its foundational principles.

He said that those who came ahead of them were unyielding in their conviction that democracy is the only genuine vehicle for national development as millions today still hold strongly to the same idea.

He urged Nigerians to rethink their disposition to the ideals and values that sustained the pro-democracy efforts of the last decade of the 20th century here in Nigeria.

“Democracy is not ideal because it is perfect, but it is preferable for the simple reason that there are no superior alternatives. Our reflection on this day should therefore go beyond the well-known limitations and imperfections of democracy, but instead focus on how we can make the most of the range of freedom that a democratic system of government offers,” Otti said.

Also, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has urged Nigerians to keep faith in democracy as a platform to deepen their participation in governance as patriotic citizens.

The governor, in a statement to mark this year’s Democracy Day, which was signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr.
Yinka Oyebode, noted that June 12 marks a watershed in the nation’s democratic journey.

Oyebanji paid tributes to the June 12 symbol, the late Abiola; his wife, the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and other heroes and heroines of democracy who paid the supreme price for Nigerians to breathe the air of freedom from military dictatorship.

While admitting that democracy may not be totally perfect, he maintained that it remains the best form of government, stressing that it offers citizens opportunities to contribute to decision making and have their say in the choice of their leaders.

Oyebanji said every Nigerian has a role to play in strengthening the nation’s democracy, adherence to constitutionalism, rule of law and building stronger institutions to make good governance to thrive to the benefit of the country and its people.

Similarly, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed optimism that Nigeria’s democratic journey would usher in greater prosperity and development for all citizens.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ekpen Ahon, Oborevwori commended Nigerians for their unwavering commitment to democratic ideals and constitutional governance despite the challenges confronting the nation.

The governor said Democracy Day provides an opportunity for reflection on the nation’s progress, strengthening of democratic institutions and collective responsibility of citizens and leaders in building a more united and prosperous country.

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, also called on citizens to remain committed to democratic ideals and support efforts aimed at deepening good governance.

Speaking at an Inter-Denominational Christian Thanksgiving Service held at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, Calabar, Deputy Governor Peter Odey, who represented the governor, said democracy thrives when citizens actively participate in governance and support leaders working in the public interest.

Odey said the Otu administration had continued to demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of the people through investments in security, infrastructure and public service reforms, adding that the government remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy.

The governor maintained that the people remain the cornerstone of democracy and expressed confidence that Cross River residents would continue to support leaders who demonstrate commitment to development and service.

For former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the celebration of June 12 and the sacrifices made by pro-democracy activists appears to be in limbo as the dividends of democracy are still far from the people.

Omo-Agege, who is the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer in the 2027 election for Delta Central Senatorial District, said: “The issue isn’t democracy itself; the problem is that we have practiced democracy without delivering results we desperately need.

“We have democracy, but where are the benefits? June 12 is all about transparency. Everyone witnessed the counting right at the polling unit. My late father, my uncle, my neighbour and the party agents – we all saw the same results. That’s why people were willing to stand up for it, even risking their lives.”

On his part, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has urged Nigerians to defend democracy and ensure that the sacrifices made by Abiola and other heroes of the June 12 struggle do not go in vain.

In his Democracy Day, Adebayo said Nigerians must recommit themselves to the ideals of constitutional governance, credible elections, and people-centred leadership, warning that the country still faces many of the democratic challenges that sparked the struggle for civilian rule.

The SDP presidential candidate described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s history and a powerful symbol of the people’s right to choose their leaders.

According to him, the election won by MKO Abiola on the platform of the SDP represented a rare moment of national unity and democratic hope, not only for Nigeria, but also for Africa as a whole.

Adebayo noted that at the time of the election, many African countries remained under military rule while apartheid was still entrenched in South Africa, making Nigeria’s democratic experiment a beacon of hope for the continent.

However, he said the annulment of the election by the military government amounted to a betrayal of both the Constitution and the sovereign will of Nigerians.

“As we approach another general election, every Nigerian has a role to play in enthroning true democracy. June 12 must not be in vain. The labour of our heroes past must not be allowed to go to waste,” he said.

The Federal Character Commissioner representing Oyo State, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, also felicitated Nigerians on the occasion of Democracy Day.

In a statement made available to journalists by his media aide, Oladipo Adegoke, Abass-Aleshinloye described the day as a significant milestone in the nation’s democratic journey.

He emphasised the importance of upholding the principles of justice, accountability, equity and the rule of law as foundations for national development; charging leaders at all levels of government to remain committed to doing the right things for the benefit of the people.

“As we celebrate Democracy Day, let us renew our commitment to national unity, peace and progress. Together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous and greater Nigeria for present and future generations,” he stated.

Also, the gubernatorial standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State, Jamilu Gwamna, has congratulated Nigerians for their resilience and determination to ensure that democracy succeeds in the country.
Looking back at Nigeria’s political economy on the occasion of June 12, he noted that the country needs unity and prayers to continue its forward march.

Gwamna stated that Nigeria’s 27 years of democracy have been marked with measurable achievements that deserve to be celebrated.

He noted that the milestone of uninterrupted civil rule has helped in entrenching democratic principles while making Nigeria a model in Africa and the biggest democracy on the continent.

His words: “Nigeria has made some impressive progress, particularly under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, who, through courage, is building a future for Nigerians and restructuring areas that needed urgent economic surgical operations for the country to survive.

“I urge Nigerians to remain steadfast in democratic principles and support the government’s economic reforms and national security efforts towards building an economically viable country and a peaceful society.

“We must uphold unity and wholeheartedly commit ourselves to prayers, seeking Almighty Allah’s divine intervention in our collective resolve to build a better state.”