Tinubu reaffirms commitment to democracy, rule of law

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s dedication to democratic values and the rule of law, vowing never to support protests that lead to the destruction of lives and property.

Speaking yesterday while receiving the Letter of Credence from the new United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu reflected on his own experiences as a pro-democracy activist who participated in peaceful protests against the military dictatorship during Nigeria’s transition to democracy.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining 25 years of unbroken democracy while acknowledging the role of demonstrations in a democratic society.

However, Tinubu drew a clear line, stating that his administration would not support protests aimed at causing destruction, but instead promote peaceful expression and the protection of lives and property.

“Our relationship with America is rich. We believe in democracy and freedom. Some of your predecessors worked hard during our transition to democracy, and we remember the likes of Ambassador Howard Jeter.

“We look forward to Nigeria and the United States continuously working to expand cooperation on shared goals and democratic values,” Tinubu said.

He continued: “During the military era, we made our voices heard against dictatorship, and I was part of the group that engaged in peaceful protests without resorting to the destruction of property. We have worked hard to ensure 25 years of unbroken democracy, and I will continue to maintain this democracy. In as much as we believe that demonstrations are part of democracy, we will never encourage any protests that lead to the destruction of lives and property.”