Akpabio Hails Tinubu as Symbol of Democratic Resistance, Calls for National Unity on Democracy Day
By peterside Rejoice Eneky
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a symbol of Nigeria’s democratic resistance and a towering figure of the June 12 struggle, declaring his presence at the National Assembly on Democracy Day as historic and deeply symbolic.
Speaking at the joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday to mark the 2025 Democracy Day and to receive the President’s State of the Nation Address, Akpabio described Tinubu’s rise from political exile to the presidency as evidence that the sacrifices of Nigeria’s democratic heroes were not in vain.
“Your presence here rekindles the memory of a long and courageous journey marked by struggle, sacrifice, and an unyielding belief in the ideals of democracy,” Akpabio said. “You are not just the President of Nigeria today; you are a symbol of democratic resistance.”
Reflecting on the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was widely believed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola, Akpabio described it as a dark period that triggered protests and sacrifices, ultimately leading to Nigeria’s current democratic era.
“When others chose silence, you chose courage. You were hunted, hounded, and exiled. But you never stopped believing. You kept the flame alive. That flame burns today in the heart of this Chamber,” he told Tinubu.
Akpabio said the June 12 commemoration is not a routine ceremony but a solemn reminder of the collective resilience that forged Nigeria’s democracy, uniting people across religious and regional lines in the demand for justice and electoral integrity.
The event also marked the second anniversary of the 10th National Assembly, which Akpabio used to highlight legislative achievements. He disclosed that in the last two years, 844 bills had been introduced, with 96 passed and 52 signed into law by the President. These include reforms spanning education, taxation, regional development, and local government autonomy.
“Each law passed is a brick laid in the foundation of a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria,” Akpabio said. “We in the 10th National Assembly are not just lawmakers; we are nation-builders.”
He also noted progress in legislative transparency, citing the receipt of over 80 public petitions, 18 of which have already been successfully addressed evidence, he said, of growing public trust in the National Assembly.
Akpabio commended the Tinubu administration for bold policy decisions such as the removal of fuel subsidy, liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, student loan schemes, tax reforms, and renewed infrastructure efforts. These, he noted, are already restoring investor confidence and setting Nigeria on a path of sustainable growth.
However, he cautioned that democracy is not solely about economic policy. “It is a culture, a daily commitment to dialogue, participation, and accountability,” he stated.
Drawing from international examples such as the U.S. civil rights movement and Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery, Akpabio called for institutional reforms, national unity, and bipartisan collaboration in governance.
“Democracy is not a zero-sum game. When the executive and legislature collaborate, the people win. When they clash unnecessarily, the people suffer,” he said.
In a landmark proposal, Akpabio advocated the creation of a June 12 National Democracy Museum to honor the martyrs of Nigeria’s democratic journey and educate future generations on the cost and value of freedom.
“Let us tell our children that democracy was not handed to us. It was fought for, bled for, and won by ordinary Nigerians who believed in something bigger than themselves,” he declared.
As he welcomed President Tinubu to the podium, Akpabio concluded with an emotional tribute to Nigeria’s democratic heroes. “We owe it to those who fought. We owe it to those who fell. May we never again betray the hope that was once betrayed. And may we never lose the freedom that was once denied.”
He added, “This Chamber is not only the heartbeat of our democracy; it is also your political home. Once again, Mr. President, welcome home.”
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