Tinubu Vows to Defend Free Speech on Democracy Day, Embraces Criticism as Democratic Virtue

 In a stirring Democracy Day address on June 12, 2025, at the National Assembly in Abuja, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu pledged to staunchly defend free speech, declaring, “Call me names, criticize me; it’s the oxygen of democracy.”

The commitment, made during a joint session marking 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, responded to growing concerns about press freedom and dissent suppression amid economic protests. Tinubu’s remarks, delivered while honouring pro-democracy icons like Kudirat Abiola, underscored his administration’s resolve to uphold June 12’s legacy of liberty, even as Nigeria grapples with 34% inflation and naira depreciation.

Tinubu, reflecting on his role in the 1990s NADECO resistance against military rule, emphasized that criticism fuels accountability, citing the annulled 1993 election as a lesson in resilience. He referenced recent arrests of journalists like Lagos-based Daniel Ojukwu, promising reforms to protect media rights, including a Press Freedom Bill under NASS review. “A vibrant press is Nigeria’s heartbeat,” he said, acknowledging 2024’s 12 journalist detentions, per CPJ data. The address, televised on NTA, also addressed social media’s role, with Tinubu rejecting censorship despite EFCC’s cybercrime crackdowns.

Reactions varied. The Nigerian Union of Journalists, led by Chris Isiguzo, welcomed the pledge but demanded Ojukwu’s release, still pending as of June 2025. PDP’s Atiku Abubakar criticized “cosmetic promises,” pointing to 2023’s protest clampdowns in Ibadan. APC’s Ajibola Basiru hailed Tinubu’s openness, noting plans to train police on media laws. Citizens like Abuja’s Grace Okonkwo, protesting at Unity Fountain, expressed hope but sought action against arbitrary arrests. The speech, reported by The Punch, positions Tinubu as a defender of democratic ideals, though analysts like Chidi Odinkalu warn of implementation gaps. The pledge, amid economic unrest, tests Tinubu’s leadership in a polarized nation.