Democracy Day: “Hunger dey” – Nigerians tackle Tinubu

It’s been 25 years since Nigeria’s 4th Republic began, 25 years since the last transition from military rule to democratic rule. However, 24 years of celebrating our strive for democracy.

On the 29th of May, 1999, former President Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ) assumed office as the newly elected president, marking a significant transition to a government system based on this simple ideology as established by Abraham Lincoln: the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

In enshrining the pillars of democracy, Nigeria has consistently made government changes through elections over the years. However, whether the rule of law is respected, free and fair elections are carried out, or the rights of the people are upheld remains questionable, especially in light of the last general elections with their many lapses.

Being a day of deep reflection, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his Democracy Day speech, stated, “Democracy is not a foreign or abstract concept devoid of real-life meaning for us, neither can we afford to reduce or minimize it to being nothing but the mere holding of periodic elections where one candidate and party outdo the other. While elections attract democratic attention, they are but one aspect of democracy.

“Democracy is a way of life that encompasses a broad outlook of which elections are but a part. As such, a nation can have elections but not be democratic, but a nation cannot be truly democratic without holding elections. That we have established a tradition of holding transparent, open, and fair elections gives credence to our democratic standing; that we have experienced peaceful transitions of government affirms our democratic temperament.”

Citizens React to Free and Fair Election Speech 

Nigerians, however, had different opinions on the democratic journey of Nigeria. Citizens on social media did not fail to express their thoughts on the Democracy Day celebration. While some affirmed President Tinubu’s stance, many others criticized the government.

Lateef Abayomi, reacting to Tinubu’s speech, wrote on X, ‘So help us Allah. I’m a bit emotional reading the speech. Our positive imagination shall become a reality, Insha Allah. God bless you @officialabat. God bless Nigeria. God bless me and my household.’

Another user, Ogunrinde Victor, tweeted, ‘What a day, what a moment. Surely with Asiwaju, Nigerians’ faith and hope shall be renewed. Welcome, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.’

A tweep, Ojo Moore, tweeted, ‘Thank you, President @officialABAT! Your leadership is a beacon of hope for a greater Nigeria.’

Nevertheless, Xers like Ibrahim Lampo had a different perspective. @IbrahimLampo wrote, ‘Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education. We are not happy with the Nigerian democracy.’

Balogun Emmanuel, who lent his voice to the conversation regarding Tinubu’s electoral speech, said, ‘It’s misinformation and misleading to say that Mr. Tinubu was part of the team of distinguished Nigerians that saw the return of civil rule – democracy in Nigeria.’

@Chief_Ajiji did not mince words when he faulted Tinubu’s integrity. He tweeted, ‘A man who ridiculed the electoral process and infiltrated the judiciary system is calling the abysmal results “free and fair.”‘

Taking a stand with Chief Ajiji, @pioneerjoshua8 noted, ‘Tinubu and free/fair elections in the same sentence? Ko le possible.’ X user @royal69399 also wrote, ‘Tinubu doesn’t know anything about free and fair elections.’

@echetanedum tweeted, ‘Kaaiii! Speaking lies with audacity! Gaslighting and lying with impunity! Nigerians wake up! Enough of this public insult and mind-assault!’

@Makafor stated, ‘Nigeria has been in ICU since they rigged Jonathan out in 2014/15.’

‘Tinubu doesn’t know anything about free and fair elections. He only snatches, grabs, and runs with it. Thunder faya Yakubu Mahmood for announcing him as winner; he didn’t win anything,’ @royal69399 wrote.”

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Tweeps Speak on Hunger and Hardship 

Other social media users took the opportunity to remind President Tinubu of the economic woes they face.

Bawa Samuel, also an X user, did not hesitate to call the president’s attention to the hardship in the country. He wrote, ‘Nigeria can only be great if the life and well-being of the masses are put into consideration! Hunger dey oooo, Your Excellency.’

‘I thought this speech was going to address poverty, high inflation, and ways to strengthen our economy? But sadly, no it didn’t,’ @Ogo_001 tweeted.

‘Na statistics we go chop. Hunger dey, Oga,’ @Blackdiamon001 stated.

@CrownKingBeni wrote, ‘Are you kidding me? We woke up on time to listen to a bunch of gabble and rhetoric. This is @officialABAT’s message? For a country going through its worst phase of poverty and penury, this is the president’s message? Otida.’

@Ejime5050 stated, ‘Buhari’s speech, and he only has a WAEC certificate, is much better than this… What nonsense! No mention of insecurity, poverty, inflation, corruption, economic downturn, and how he wants to address it. I PITY NIGERIA.’

More Reactions

Reacting to Tinubu’s fall at the parade ground, Emir Sir Dam tweeted, ‘After stealing the mandate, you want to celebrate Democracy Day. The audacity of a thief. Hope he broke his head.’

@Michael69146753 wrote, ‘That lie was so callous that the earth got angry and tripped him to fall heavily at Eagle Square.’

PraiseOg2014 reacted, ‘This is where the problem is. Even the late Yar’Adua was honest enough to acknowledge that the election that brought him in was flawed. Honesty is a virtue.’

@_xploreet stated, ‘He built Lagos, but Lagos residents have been suffering and paying all kinds of unnecessary taxes for decades. Imagine when he’s done building Nigeria?! God, abeg.’

@anuforo stated, ‘The administration has barely been in office for 2 years, and you’re protesting… You gave him your mandate, and now you’re complaining… Na semi Shege be dis oooo; de big Shege is on the way.’

@Shile_matrix wrote, ‘We saw this coming and tried to stop it. Now we have to endure another 4 years of a nonchalant government. Nigerians don’t have anything to celebrate; only the government and APC are doing the celebration.’