UPDATED: Criticise me, but never stop believing in Nigeria, Tinubu tells media, CSOs

President Bola Tinubu has urged the media and civil society organisations not to stop believing in Nigeria even when they criticise his government.

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Mr Tinubu spoke in a televised broadcast to mark this year’s Democracy Day on Friday.

Addressing key democratic institutions, Mr Tinubu described the National Assembly, the judiciary, the press and civil society groups as the “guardrails” of the republic.

“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,” the president said.

The president noted that Nigeria had sustained 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999, describing it as the country’s longest period of democratic governance.

“Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it,” he said.

Elections, Security

Mr Tinubu also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and political parties to ensure peaceful and credible governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

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According to him, democracy is weakened when citizens lose confidence in the electoral process.

The president also addressed Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that the mood of the day was “dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno.”

He said the administration had declared a security emergency, approved recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel, and committed N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget — the largest allocation yet.

READ ALSO: Democracy Day: Tinubu to address Nigerians Friday

Speaking on the economy, the president defended recent reforms as a “necessity,” citing improved federation revenues, higher domestic refining capacity, and growth in non-oil exports.

He said the next phase would focus on making democracy felt in the quality of life through job creation, lower inflation, and expanded opportunities for youth.

He also honoured the heroes of the ‘June 12’ struggle, including M.K.O. Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, and announced national awards for democracy activists and “soldier-democrats” who suffered persecution.

“Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes’ past shall never be in vain, and that the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land,” Mr Tinubu said.