Tinubu to Political Parties: Democracy, Rule of Law Will Thrive Under My Watch

Eshioromeh Sebastian in Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a firm reassurance to political leaders across Nigeria that democracy and the rule of law will not only survive but thrive under his administration.

Speaking at an inter-faith Iftar (breaking of fast) with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, the President declared himself a “die-hard democrat” committed to the principles of unity, fairness, and constitutional order.

The President emphasised that the stability and unity of Nigeria rest on the pillars of good governance and the unwavering application of the rule of law. He assured party leaders that his administration would uphold these tenets as a lasting legacy for posterity.

“There’s no threat from any democrat under my watch. The rule of law must prevail in any democracy. The majority will have their way, and the minority will have their say and their way. I must not stand in their way. That is the sweetness, the essence of democracy”, President Tinubu stated.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s 26-year journey of unbroken civil rule, the President reminded the audience of the sacrifices made to entrench the current democratic order, recalling his own involvement in the pro-democracy movement, NADECO, which included detention, protests, and exile.

“I followed that belief wholeheartedly, committed to a united Nigeria, and that principle and the philosophy will live and die with me,” he added.

The President also used the occasion to stress the importance of strengthening internal democracy within political parties, describing it as fundamental to building credible electoral institutions.

He expressed support for direct primaries, noting that they provide party members with better opportunities to participate in choosing their representatives.

In his remarks, the Chairman of IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle, used the platform to raise specific concerns regarding the nation’s electoral process.

He appealed to the President to reconsider the mandatory use of the National Identity Number (NIN) for voter registration, warning that it risks disenfranchising many eligible Nigerians.

Dantalle also called for the restoration of financial support by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to political parties and raised concerns regarding the newly signed 2026 Electoral Law, specifically the removal of indirect primaries as an option for party nominations.

In a symbolic gesture celebrating the nation’s democratic resilience, Dantalle informed the President of a new film titled “Unbroken Democracy”, which chronicles the past 26 years of democratic governance in Nigeria. The movie, supported by Governor Hope Uzodimma, is scheduled to premiere at the State House soon.

Earlier, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, commended the President for his strong leadership in managing Nigeria’s diverse and multi-ethnic landscape. “We are grateful to God to have you as a leader of this country. We shall support you, and we will stand by you as a party,” Yilwatda assured the President.