ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has pledged to defend Nigerians’ right to freedom of expression, declaring that criticisms — even harsh or insulting — will not be met with repression under his administration.
Speaking during his Democracy Day address at the National Assembly Complex on Thursday, Tinubu urged security agencies to refrain from targeting critics of his administration’s policies and to uphold democratic ideals.
“Democracy requires a fair degree of tolerance for harsh words and stinging insults,” the President said. “Call me names, call me whatever you will, and I will still call upon democracy to defend your right to do so.”
Tinubu’s remarks come amid mounting concern from civil society groups, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) over recent arrests and detentions of journalists and critics, including Daniel Ojukwu, Adejuwon Soyinka, and Segun Olatunji. These cases have raised alarms over the perceived erosion of press freedom under existing laws such as the Cybercrime Prohibition Act 2015.
Chapter 4, Section 39(a) of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression, including the right to receive and impart ideas without interference. Activists argue that this right has been repeatedly undermined, echoing tactics reminiscent of military rule.
In his address, Tinubu urged lawmakers and political allies to embrace open dialogue and civil liberties:
“Be tolerant and broad-minded in your legislative action regarding speech and civil liberties,” he told the assembly.
The President also warned against suppressing dissent, saying that even the harshest critics can offer valuable insight:
“Some of the best advice a politician gets sometimes comes from his most ferocious opponents. We dare not seek silence because the imposed silence of repressed voices breeds chaos and ill will, not the harmonics of democracy in the long term.”
He added, “While malicious slander and libel should not go unattended, no one should bear the brunt of injustice for merely writing a bad report about me or calling me names.”
Tinubu’s administration has faced sustained criticism for what many describe as increasingly autocratic tendencies, including alleged attempts to weaken the opposition and centralize power. However, the President dismissed concerns that Nigeria was heading toward a one-party state, affirming that democracy remains robust.
“Our nation is not perfect, but it is strong. Our democracy is not invincible, but it is alive,” he said. “This means our dream of a prosperous, happy nation is still within reach — and worth fighting for.”
