Tinubu dashes hopes on Fubara on June 12

Draws applause as he honours Yar’Adua, Kudirat, Nwosu, other heroes of democracy
Says no plans for one-party state in Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday dashed the hopes of several pundits who had loudly recommended that he use his June 12 Democracy Day address to announce the reinstatement of suspended Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the end of emergency rule in Rivers.

Two days ago, notable voices had called on the president to let Fubara off the hook and, in the spirit of democracy, unite the Rivers people again.

Bode George, a chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Ann Kio Briggs, a human and environmental rights activist, among a number of other commentators, called on the President to, on June 12, honour democracy by ending emergency rule in Rivers State.

George in a statement said, “If Tinubu could forgive Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, then he should extend the same gesture to Fubara. “On June 12, we will be celebrating Democracy Day. This is a reminder of the true meaning of democracy – the will of the people.
“Since Tinubu has forgiven Sanwo-Olu, then it makes a lot of sense, spiritually, to also forgive Fubara and let him return to office. I am talking as an elder”,he said.

Briggs in an interview on Arise TV a day before June 12, reiterated that the suspension of Fubara remained a travesty that only true democracy can cure, and called on the president to, as a matter of urgency, reverse Fubara’s suspension.

The president was, however, loudly silent on Fubara on Democracy Day, even as he insisted that he has no plans to remake Nigeria into a one-party state. He said, “I have no plans to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. I have never altered the registration of any political party in INEC. I will be the last person to advocate such a thing,” he said.
He, however, affirmed his willingness to welcome any person who deemed it fit to join the ruling APC.

But in an obviously determined effort to unite the country, heal the wounds of the June 12, 1993, annulment of late Chief MKO Abiola’s mandate, the president yesterday conferred a posthumous national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on his wife, the late Kudirat Abiola, describing her as the heroine of the June 12 struggle.

He also honoured late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua with the highest national award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR, usually reserved for presidents only; and Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, NEC, which chaperoned the June 12, 1993, elections with CON.

Besides Kudirat, Yar’Adua, and Nwosu, President Tinubu also conferred posthumous national honours on Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa. Alfred Rewani (CFR), and Bagauda Kaltho (OON).

Others are: Chima Ubani (OON), Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka Bashorun (CON), Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Prof. Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON), and Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON).
Dr Edwin Madunagu bagged the CON honour; Dr Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Pa. Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON), and Dr Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON).
“I also confer national honours on Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), the journalist and journalism teacher; Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), and Mr Bayo Onanuga (CON),” said Tinubu.
Other beneficiaries are Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Kukah (CON), Sen. Shehu Sani (CON), Gov. Uba Sani (CON), Femi Falana (CON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Luke Aghanenu (OON) and Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON).

Also among the beneficiaries are Hon. Labaran Maku (OON), Dr Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Hon. Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Felix Morka (CON), Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale Osun (CON), and Dr Amos Akingba (CON).
Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Dr Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof. Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR), and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR) were also honoured.

Additionally, the president conferred the national honour of CON on Sam Amuka Pemu, publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, who he said remained true to his lifetime calling as he marked his 90th birthday on Friday.

“Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), and Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON).

“I shall also be exercising my powers under the Prerogative of Mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State.

The president decorated the presiding officers of the National Assembly with the National Honours earlier conferred upon them last year.
Those decorations were Sen. Godswill Akpabio, GCON; Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, GCON – Speaker, Sen. Jibrin Barau, CFR – Deputy Senate President, and Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, CFR – Deputy Speaker.

Tinubu said, “Fellow compatriots, our achievements are not the work of one man.
“They are the result of a collective effort to make possible the Nigerian Dream. Yet, the journey is not over.
“We must work even harder to translate broad macroeconomic gains into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“We must stay the course, reject cynicism, and believe Nigeria can and will rise again.
“As we mark a twenty-sixth year of unbroken democracy, it is right to honour those who have made sacrifices in the past, braving all the odds and the guns to ensure we have a regime of democracy in our country,” said the president.

Tinubu saluted Nigerians’ resilience and doggedness in entrenching democracy in the country.
According to him, since 1999, democracy has risen from the ashes and destitution of military rule to freedom for the people today.
He commended the National Assembly, describing it as an embodiment of people’s representation.

He affirmed the easing out of inflation, stabilisation of naira exchange rate, and increased revenue as one of the achievements of his administration in the last two years.
Tinubu expressed his administration’s commitment to achieving food security through agricultural reforms.
He said that his government was committed to giving young people opportunities through skills acquisition and job creation.

Earlier, the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, described the National Assembly as a bastion of democracy. He saluted those he called gladiators of democracy, including Tinubu, for defying oppression in order to restore democracy in Nigeria.
He recalled how the gladiators of democracy resisted military oppression to reclaim the June 12 mandate.

According to him, on June 12, the election was not only annulled but Nigeria’s innocence was killed.
He particularly paid tribute to the late MKO Abiola for standing for his mandate and his campaign slogan, entitled: “Nigeria on the march again.”
The Senate President lauded Tinubu’s economic reforms, which, he said, had been yielding results.
“Under Tinubu, we have seen reforms from the removal of subsidy, unification of exchange rates to tax reforms,” he said.

Akpabio reaffirmed the willingness of the National Assembly to partner with the executive in addressing Nigeria’s complex issues.
He expressed the importance of executive and parliamentary partnership for enhanced accelerated development.

Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, said that Tinubu’s speech was a testament to the resilience of democratic institutions.
Tajudeen noted that over the past 26 years, the National Assembly had served as the guardian of democracy.
He particularly cited the doctrine of necessity aimed at ensuring uninterrupted governance and preservation of democratic institutions as part of the achievements of the legislature.

Speaking further, President Tinubu said his administration has introduced fundamental reforms to correct structural imbalances and reform the country’s ailing economy.
He said the results of the reforms were already visible as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.4 per cent in 2024, with Q4 hitting 4.6 per cent, the highest quarter of growth in over a decade.
“Inflation is easing gradually, steadying the price of food staples like rice and beans. Our net foreign reserves have increased fivefold, and the Naira exchange rate has stabilised.
“Our balance of payments position is positive. Our sovereign credit rating is improving as we continue to promote oil and non-oil exports. States now do not need to go about borrowing to pay salaries,” he stated.

Tinubu said that in less than one year, over 100,000 Nigerians, including 35,000 civil servants, benefited from affordable consumer credit through the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP).
He said this enabled them to purchase vehicles, light up and improve their homes and purchase life essentials.

“This July, we will launch a bold new initiative to empower 400,000 young Nigerians, including youth corp members with consumer credit.
“We are committed to giving more opportunities to young people through job creation and skills development.
“Through such programmes as NELFUND, we are investing in education, vocational training, apprenticeships, and internships to ensure our youth are job-ready and future-ready,” he said.

Tinubu said his administration embarked on an ambitious project to lay fibre optic cables across the nation, a transformative step toward bridging the digital divide and fostering greater connectivity.
“This initiative promises not only to enhance the speed and reliability of internet access but also to revolutionise how businesses operate, how students learn, and how communities stay connected.
“By extending this critical infrastructure, we are empowering entrepreneurs, enabling digital education, and providing the tools for our youth to compete in a globalised world,” said the President.

He also said the recently introduced “Nigeria First” policy would further enhance progress as his administration consolidated market-driven growth.
He said the improved economic performance was encouraging and validated the soundness of the administration’s policy measures.

“Our medium-term growth target remains an economy growing at a 7 per cent clip with a stronger manufacturing base. We must learn to produce and grow most of our food, and we are on the path to achieving food sovereignty.

“These and other reforms have placed the economy on a more rational footing where critical decisions regarding large-scale investment can now be made,” he said.

The President said that to further underpin his administration’s economic vision, he introduced a comprehensive Tax Reform Package, a vital component of the economic re-engineering.
He added that his administration was fully committed to boosting the economy’s productive base.

“Through investment in critical infrastructure, roads, expansion of port operations, rail, and power, we are creating a new environment in which industry and manufacturing can thrive.
“Our tax and fiscal policy reforms will streamline tax administration and eliminate burdensome and multiple taxes, enabling our industrialists and entrepreneurs to operate in a more conducive environment.

“Governance must work and deliver value to the people. As part of our tax reforms, we have provided small businesses with an exemption and established the Office of the Tax Ombudsman to ensure transparency and protect taxpayer rights,” he said.