In a live broadcast commemorating Nigeria’s 25th democracy anniversary, President Bola Tinubu praised the country’s democratic progress, highlighting the establishment of “transparent and fair” elections and peaceful transitions of government.

“That we have established a tradition of holding transparent, open, and fair elections gives credence to our democratic bearing. That we have experienced peaceful transitions of government affirms our democratic temperament,” Tinubu stated.

The president honored Nigerians who fought against military rule, acknowledging those who sacrificed their lives for democracy. He stressed that while elections are crucial, they are only one facet of a true democracy.

“While elections attract dramatic attention, they are but one aspect of democracy. Democracy is a way of life that encompasses a broad outlook of which elections are but a part. As such, a nation can have elections without being democratic. But a nation cannot be truly democratic without holding elections,” Tinubu explained.

Despite these assertions, the 2023 general elections were marred by violence, with the European Union Election Observation Mission Nigeria (EU EOM) reporting at least 74 deaths in 101 violent incidents. The EU EOM criticized law enforcement for failing to prosecute those who attacked, intimidated, or harassed journalists, noting several incidents where police detained journalists documenting irregularities instead of the perpetrators.

“The EU EOM observers confirmed multiple incidents involving the media. Several attacks occurred in plain sight of the police and in some cases the police detained the journalist who documented irregularities, but not the attacker. It clearly evidences the absence of actual practices for protection of media practitioners,” the report highlighted.