Let’s unite against terrorism, banditry, Tinubu urged citizens

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on all Nigerians to unite against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the country, as this fight cannot be left to the government alone.

The President in his speech broadcast on Democracy Day said that joint efforts are important because the fight against insecurity cannot be left to the government alone.

In a Democracy Day broadcast on Friday morning, the President assured that the country would become stronger and united after overcoming terrorism.

He said: “At times like these, let us not blame or point fingers. Crime knows no ethnicity.

“We must unite and believe that our nation’s enemies will soon become history.

“We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous country.”

The President spoke against the backdrop of recent kidnappings in Oyo and Borno states.

He described the incident as a painful reminder that democracy cannot thrive without security.

READ ALSO: “Criticize me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria”, Tinubu tells citizens on Democracy Day

Expressing optimism that the kidnapped children would regain their freedom, Tinubu stressed that his government had responded decisively by declaring a security emergency and approving the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel.

Additionally, he said the government allocated N5.41 trillion for defense and security in the 2026 National Budget, describing it as the largest security vote ever.

“Democracy without security is a mirage,” he said, stressing that the allocation was the largest defense and security budget in Nigeria’s history.

Tinubu said his country had shifted from conventional military exercises with international partners to precisely targeting terrorist networks, citing the degradation of the ISWAP command center in Arege, Borno State, as evidence of progress.

Reflecting on the journey of democracy, Tinubu said the country had enjoyed the longest period of uninterrupted civil rule, namely 27 years since the return of democratic rule in 1999.

He noted that despite its imperfections, Nigeria’s democracy remains resilient as citizens consistently elect leaders through the ballot box, resolve disputes through legal institutions and ensure the peaceful transition of power.

Ahead of the gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states, the President called on stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and political parties to ensure peaceful and credible elections, and warned that democracy would suffer when citizens lose confidence in elections.

The Ekiti gubernatorial election will be held on June 20, while the Osun election is scheduled for August 15.

Tinubu challenged the National Assembly, the Judiciary, the media and civil society organizations to continue to act as guardians of democratic governance.