You Can Criticise, Disagree With Me – Tinubu To Nigerians

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians not to stop believing in the country.

Naija News reports that the President made the appeal on Friday during his nationwide broadcast to mark the 27th anniversary of Nigeria’s uninterrupted democracy.

He welcomed criticism from Nigerian youths, but urged them to remain steadfast in the belief that the country would get better.

According to him, democracy fails when citizens doubt the process, describing the National Assembly, judiciary, the press, and civil society as the guardrails of Nigeria.

“Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in the nation.

“To our young people, Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, work here, and eat here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, but not by those who abandoned ship.

“To our forces, police, and intelligence services, Nigeria salutes your sacrifices. To our traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads, thank you for your support of peace and reconciliation,” Tinubu said.

Meanwhile, Tinubu has warned bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism to surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian state.

Naija News reports that the President issued the warning on Friday in a nationwide broadcast commemorating the 2026 Democracy Day and marking 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule.

Tinubu said the country had recorded significant progress in the fight against terrorism, adding that security forces had moved from training with foreign allies to precision targeting of terrorist positions.

The President said Nigerian security forces had degraded an ISWAP command centre in Arege, Borno State.

He added that terror-related deaths had reduced significantly since 2015.

“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu said the government would continue to offer a surrender window to those willing to lay down their arms.

He disclosed that more than 124,000 fighters and dependents had surrendered since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.

Tinubu further stated, “But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.

“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”

The President urged Nigerians to remain united and avoid blaming any ethnic group for criminal activities.

Tinubu added, “At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history.

“We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.”