Reflections of the day of democracy: words of Tinubu, troubles of Nigeria …

The address of the Democracy Day of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, delivered on June 12, 2025, was, in the center, a valiant attempt to reconnect with the Nigerian people, reminded us of our fought democratic journey and affirmed a moral authority for the government that guides. He told the story of our democratic struggles, greeted the sacrifices of Martyrs such as Capo Mko Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, General Shehu Musa Yar’adua and Pa Alfred Rewane and tried to remind the Nigerians that this democracy – put on how it could be paid for blood and courage. But a deeper interrogation of the Tinubu address reveals a speech imbued with symbolism and rhetorical blooms, but painfully thin on substance, empathy or responsibility for the prevalent difficulties that the Nigerians face daily.

The evocation of the president of June 12 and his heroes had to arouse national pride and resilience. In fact, the day of democracy, anchored to the annulled elections of 1993 won by Mko Abiola, is a significant reference point in the political evolution of Nigeria. However, the heroes of democracy is not sufficient in the name of democracy when the conditions in which the current administration operates betrays the ideals for which they died. What made iconic on June 12 was the collective will of the Nigerians to resist tyranny and ask for a transparent governance. It is therefore ironic that the same day, the Nigerians continue to suffer from policies that feel imposed, disconnected from reality and lacking in the very democratic ethics that we claim to celebrate.

When Tinubu said that “Democracy is neither a foreign concept nor abstract meaningless in real life for us”, he was unable to reconcile this statement with the reality that democratic dividends have been painfully elusive for the masses. The democracy test is not only the ability to vote, but the presence of justice, responsibility, transparency and good government. On all these metrics, his administration has performed terribly. A government that has removed the fuel subsidy without any safety network, has allowed the Naira to float without controls and presides over the inflation that sent millions in multidimensional poverty cannot honestly say to deepen democracy.

The president grew up philosophical, declaring that “the power of the people is superior to that of any government or institution”, yet his government has shown little respect for the voice of the people. From protests against the removal of fuel subsidies to the cries for insecurity, mass unemployment and growing taxation, the response was deaf or repressive. We cannot preach the power of people as we suffocate the civic space or ignore public protests for hunger and difficulties.

There was also a curious tendency to confuse symbolism with the substance. Tinubu reminded us that he was one of those who fought against military domain, he was imprisoned for activities in favor of democracy and lived in exile. While this is true and deserves credit, it does not absolve it with its current responsibility. Yesterday’s struggle cannot be the only justification for today’s policies. A fighter for freedom that becomes an democratically elected president must go from being a symbol of resistance to a servant of the people.

The President’s address suffered from an evident lack of empathy. Nowhere has the pure level of pain and dislocation recognized that its economic policies have caused Nigerians in its speech. Fuel prices have more than tripled, the electric rates are to the stars, the food prices went out of reach for middle families and millions of children abandoned school. Talking about democracy without referring to these realities is not only dishonest, but it is cruel. Leadership does not concern poetic declarations, but the possession of the results of one’s decisions.

Tinubu spoke of “difficult choices” and said he made them in the interest of the people. But in truth, those difficult choices were not accompanied by any cushioning mechanism for the people. The Naira float led to a devaluation almost 100%, which has translated directly into higher fuel import costs and spiral inflation. The removal of the subsidy for fuel, although theoretically solid in the economic circles, has been implemented in order to have not shown any respect for the times, sequencing or social protection. Nigeriani was simply told to “tighten the belts” while those in power continue to nourish fat on public resources. This is not democracy; This is insensitivity of elite.

In fact, many Nigerians are questioning the moral authority of this administration to commemorate the day of democracy. After all, what is democracy if the elections are still spoiled by the purchase of votes, by the judicial compromise and the suppression of the voters? What is democracy if the gap between rich and poor continues to expand under government policies? What is democracy if dissent is criminalized and peaceful demonstrators are brutalized? The president should have used his speech to recognize these deficits and commit himself to democratic renewal, not to whitewash the pain under banality.

It’s not too late because Tinubu changes broken. But the first step must be an honest admission that the current path does not work for the vast majority of the Nigerians. A leader who cannot feel the pulse of the people is a danger to democracy. Nigeria needs no more slogans, celebrations or commemorations. We need political inversions with a clear head, targeted social interventions and a humility that listens before acting.

While we mark the umpteenth day of democracy, it is important to remember that democracy is not an end in itself but a means of justice, dignity and shared prosperity. The Tinubu administration must stop hiding behind historical heroism and face current failures with courage and sincerity. The real democracy listens, learns and lead. Not lessons. It is not Gaslight. And it does not require sacrifice from the people while exemption of political elite.

■ Ughegbe, Phd, AniPr, an influencer of public opinion and expert communication expert, writes from Abuja.

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