The former Chief of Army Staff and former Ambassador to the Republic of Benin Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai Rtd took to his social media account to pen down a congratulatory message to Nigeria’s president H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, on the occasion of the 2023 Nigeria’s Democracy Day Celebrations. He also used the opportunity to call on the United Nations (UN) to declare 12 June every year as World Democracy Day as an honour well deserved by Chief MKO Abiola of blessed memory and all lovers of democracy by the international community. His statement is as stated below:
I CONGRATULATE PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU AND ALL NIGERIANS
I congratulate H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the occasion of 2023 Nigeria’s Democracy Day Celebrations. H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emergence as the 16th Democratically elected President of Nigeria is another milestone in Nigeria’s march to an enduring democracy. Mr. President has seen it all in his struggle to ensure democracy takes root in Nigeria. His years in the trenches in the early 1990s brought him out as a true Democrat. Congratulations Your Excellency.
I also congratulate Nigerians for their resilience since 1999 to ensure democracy is sustained through their votes. With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Nigeria’s Democratic saddle today, his Renewed Hope Agenda is a sure way to Nigeria’s greatness in all ramifications of national development. Mr President has started in the right direction as such we all as Nigerians must support him to achieve his vision for Nigeria.
Let me also pay tribute to Chief MKO Abiola GCFR for his sacrifice, which today June 12 we are celebrating. This is a clear confirmation that his sacrifice has not gone in vain. His spirits of selflessness, patriotism, and unity are worthy of emulation by all democratic leaders nationally and globally.
Abiola was an international figure who fought for reparation as restitution for the injustices done to the black race worldwide. I, therefore, call on the United Nations (UN) to declare 12 June every year as World Democracy Day. It is an honour well deserved by Chief MKO Abiola of blessed memory and all lovers of democracy by the international community.
Lt Gen Tukur Buratai Rtd
Former COAS/Nigeria’s Amb to the Republic of Benin
