Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to former president Muhammadu Buhari for instituting June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day and officially recognizing Chief MKO Abiola as the duly elected president of Nigeria following the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Tinubu expressed his gratitude towards Buhari during his address on Thursday at the Joint Session of the National Assembly, marking Nigeria’s 2025 Democracy Day. The President also acknowledged other democracy heroes, emphasizing the importance of remembering figures like Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and Pa Alfred Rewane, who were victims of military repression.

Tinubu highlighted the sacrifices made by numerous civil rights activists, journalists, and politicians who faced imprisonment, exile, and torture under the military regime. He paid homage to individuals such as late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Chief Abraham Adesanya, and others for their roles in the fight for democracy.

The President clarified that his mention of specific names was not to diminish the contributions of others but to demonstrate the wide-reaching and collective effort in the pursuit of democracy in Nigeria. Tinubu reiterated that the struggle for democracy was a nationwide endeavor and continues to be as Nigeria works towards perfecting it.