Odita Sunday 
Democracy Day: HURIWA Knocks Tinubu’s Address, Demands Tougher Stand Against Terrorism
By Odita Sunday
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has delivered a sharp critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2026 Democracy Day address, accusing the administration of offering rhetoric instead of practical solutions to the worsening insecurity and economic hardship confronting Nigerians.
In a statement issued on June 12 by Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko,
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), the rights advocacy group said although the President acknowledged the heroes of June 12 and reaffirmed democratic values, the speech fell short of addressing the immediate realities facing millions of citizens battling insecurity, poverty, unemployment and disruptions to education.
At the centre of HURIWA’s criticism is President Tinubu’s continued position of leaving “the door of surrender open” to terrorists.
The association described the approach as unacceptable and questioned what becomes of terrorists after surrendering, arguing that policies focused on rehabilitation and reintegration risk denying justice to victims and communities devastated by years of violence.
According to HURIWA, the Federal Government should shift its focus toward decisive security actions by empowering the Nigerian Armed Forces with advanced intelligence capabilities to identify and dismantle terrorist strongholds through coordinated operations.
The group maintained that government’s foremost obligation is the protection of law-abiding citizens rather than prolonged engagement with criminal elements.
HURIWA also faulted what it described as the President’s silence on allegations of sabotage within the nation’s security architecture.
The association noted that persistent concerns over insiders allegedly leaking operational information to criminal networks have continued to undermine security operations and place personnel at risk.
It said the President, as Commander-in-Chief, missed an opportunity to announce concrete measures for identifying and addressing such alleged internal threats.
On education, HURIWA expressed concern that the Democracy Day speech failed to provide a comprehensive strategy for securing schools despite recurring abductions and growing fears among parents, especially across Northern Nigeria.
The association argued that education remains a fundamental right and warned that continued attacks on educational institutions threaten both national development and democratic progress.
Beyond security concerns, HURIWA said the address placed significant emphasis on government achievements and national honours while paying insufficient attention to the deepening cost-of-living crisis.
It observed that rising inflation, unemployment, and declining purchasing power continue to place severe pressure on households struggling to afford food, transportation, healthcare, housing and education.
The association warned that poverty, hunger and economic uncertainty pose serious threats to democratic stability.
HURIWA further argued that large sections of the President’s address reflected themes already repeated in previous national speeches and lacked fresh policy direction capable of inspiring public confidence.
It maintained that while recognising national heroes remains important, Nigerians are increasingly demanding visible improvements in security, economic conditions, education, employment opportunities and governance outcomes.
The group therefore called on President Tinubu to move beyond symbolic declarations and provide a measurable roadmap for defeating terrorism, protecting schools, addressing economic hardship, creating jobs and strengthening democratic institutions.
According to HURIWA, the ideals of June 12 can only be fully realised when democracy translates into justice, security, prosperity and renewed hope for ordinary Nigerians.
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