President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered his first Democracy Day address to Nigerians on Wednesday, June 12.

His speech was followed by the Democracy Day parade at Eagles Square in Abuja.

The president spoke about key issues affecting Nigerians, emphasizing that economic reforms are intended to address the long-standing challenges that have plagued the economy.

He promised "not to turn his back" on Nigerians, acknowledging their current struggles.

The President said in his nationwide broadcast that no matter how complicated democracy may be, it’s the best form of governance in the long run.

He said, “we must also be aware that there are those among us who will try to exploit current challenges to undermine, if not destroy, this democracy for which so much has already been given.”

He said Nigeria faced a decision of untold gravity 25 years ago on whether to veer toward a better destination or continue aimlessly in the fog of dictatorship, adding, “we made the right choice then. We must continue with that choice now.”

Giving what could be described a lecture in democracy, Tinubu said, “Democracy is neither a foreign nor abstract concept devoid of real-life meaning for us. Neither can we afford to reduce or minimise it to being nothing but the mere holding of periodic elections where one candidate and party outdo another.

Watch the parades below