Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s June 12 Democracy Day speech, describing it as a mere recounting of history without addressing current issues. During an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Adegboruwa expressed disappointment, stating that the speech failed to tackle the pressing challenges facing Nigeria’s democracy.
“I listened to the president’s speech, and unfortunately, I cannot agree that anything has changed,” Adegboruwa asserted. He argued that despite commemorating the significance of June 12, which marks the annulled 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by MKO Abiola, the government has not made tangible progress in upholding democratic principles.
“I am not impressed by the president’s speech,” the Senior Advocate remarked, emphasizing that it merely rehearsed historical events. He stressed that more is expected from Tinubu, who was a key figure in the democratic struggle and is now in a position of power. “Looking at the past year and our collective history since we started agitating for democracy, things have gotten worse. Nothing has changed at all,” he added.
Adegboruwa highlighted that the June 12 struggle was aimed at recognizing the annulled 1993 election and ensuring true federalism in Nigeria. He lamented that the dream of having better elections than in 1993 has been deferred for too long, noting that even the election that brought Tinubu to power has unresolved issues.
On a day like June 12, Adegboruwa said, “all Nigerians who are being wrongfully held in custody should be released.” He also called for engaging the constituent units of the nation to determine if Nigeria truly practices the principles of a federation. The June 12 occasion, he noted, should provide a roadmap for achieving true democracy, a fundamental aspect he felt was missing from the president’s speech.
Adegboruwa’s comments echo a growing sentiment among citizens and activists who believe that beyond ceremonial speeches, substantial changes are needed to address the deep-rooted issues affecting Nigeria’s democracy and development.
