President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to continue holding his administration accountable through constructive criticism while maintaining confidence in the nation’s future and democratic institutions.

Speaking in his Democracy Day address on Friday, the President stressed that criticism and disagreement are vital elements of a healthy democracy, but warned that citizens should not allow dissatisfaction with government policies to erode their belief in Nigeria.

“Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria,” Tinubu declared.

The President emphasized that democracy flourishes when leaders are subjected to scrutiny and citizens actively participate in public discourse. He noted that disagreement with government decisions should not translate into hopelessness about the country’s prospects.

Tinubu paid tribute to key democratic institutions, including the National Assembly, the Judiciary, the media, and civil society organisations, describing them as the “guardrails of the republic” whose responsibilities remain crucial to the survival of democracy.

Addressing these institutions, he said, “To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic.”

He added that their role in questioning authority, defending democratic principles, and ensuring accountability remains indispensable to national development.

Ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, the President urged all stakeholders to work together to guarantee free, fair, peaceful, and credible elections.

He specifically called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, and voters to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.

“I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process,” he said.

Tinubu also delivered a message of hope to Nigerian youths, encouraging them to remain committed to the country despite prevailing economic and social challenges.

According to him, the younger generation has a critical role to play in building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.

“Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here,” the President said.

He further urged young Nigerians not to abandon the country but to contribute actively to solving its challenges and shaping its future.

“Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship,” he added.

The President also commended members of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, and intelligence agencies for their sacrifices in protecting the country’s territorial integrity and maintaining internal security.

In addition, he expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community leaders for their contributions to peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and national unity.

Tinubu acknowledged that government alone cannot achieve the nation’s aspirations and called for greater collaboration among all segments of society.

“The government cannot do it alone,” he said, urging Nigerians to embrace unity, patriotism, and collective responsibility in the quest for national progress.

The Democracy Day message underscored the President’s appeal for continued civic engagement, stronger democratic institutions, peaceful elections, and renewed commitment to nation-building.

A bill seeking to establish State Police and transfer certain policing powers to state governments has passed second reading in the Senate, marking a significant step in efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture and tackle growing security challenges across the country.

The proposed legislation, which enjoys widespread support among senators across party lines, was referred by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution for further legislative scrutiny.

Leading the debate on the bill during plenary, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said the proposal was designed to strengthen internal security by creating both Federal and State Police structures, each with clearly defined responsibilities.

He noted that Nigeria continues to face a wide range of security threats, including terrorism, banditry, mass abductions, farmer-herder clashes, armed robbery, cultism, communal conflicts, pipeline vandalism and emerging cyber-related crimes.

According to Bamidele, increasing public calls for State Police stem from concerns that the current centralized policing system is unable to effectively address local and evolving security challenges across the federation.

The Senate Leader explained that the bill seeks to modernize Nigeria’s security framework by transferring policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, thereby allowing states to establish and operate their own police services within a constitutional framework.

He added that the legislation would create State Police Service Commissions, strengthen cooperative federalism and provide mechanisms for coordination between federal and state law enforcement agencies.

Bamidele argued that the proposed amendment would not undermine national unity but rather enhance the effectiveness of governance by enabling different levels of government to carry out their constitutional responsibilities more efficiently.

Addressing concerns about possible abuse of State Police by governors, he said the bill contains several safeguards to ensure accountability and prevent political interference.

Among the safeguards are the establishment of State Police Service Commissions, oversight by the Federal Police Service Commission, uniform national policing standards, legislative confirmation of senior appointments, constitutional procedures for the removal of State Commissioners of Police, periodic reviews of State Police operations and federal intervention mechanisms in cases of severe breakdown of law and order.

“These safeguards are intended to create a balanced framework that combines operational autonomy with accountability and constitutional oversight,” Bamidele stated.

He maintained that security is most effective when it is localized, arguing that officers who understand the language, culture and terrain of their communities are better positioned to identify and prevent criminal activities before they escalate.

The Senate Leader also said State Police would improve intelligence gathering, enhance community policing, build public trust in law enforcement and ensure quicker responses to security emergencies.

According to him, decentralizing policing would also reduce pressure on the Nigeria Police Force, allowing federal authorities to focus on interstate crimes, terrorism, organized criminal networks, border security, cybercrime and the protection of national assets.

Bamidele further argued that the proposal aligns with the principles of federalism, noting that many federal nations operate multi-layered policing systems.

He cited countries such as United States, Canada, Australia and Germany, where state or provincial police agencies work alongside federal law enforcement bodies.

Following the lead debate, several senators, particularly from Northern Nigeria, voiced support for the bill, describing State Police as a critical solution to the country’s persistent security challenges.

Among them was the Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, who said the proposed legislation would help address the growing proliferation of vigilante groups across the country.

Monguno noted that the bill would provide a legal framework for the establishment and operation of State Police, enabling them to effectively discharge their responsibilities while ensuring proper regulation, oversight and accountability.

The bill will now undergo further consideration by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Constitutional Review before returning to the National Assembly for the next stage of the legislative process.

The Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, on Saturday joined other prominent sons and daughters of Ekiti State to welcome the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, during her one-day working visit to the state.

The First Lady’s visit coincided with the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Campaign Rally for the re-election of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election.

Speaking after the event, Bamidele described the colourful parade by APC women and the massive turnout of party faithful as a strong indication of the party’s unity, strength, and readiness to secure another term for Governor Oyebanji.

According to him, the enthusiastic participation of women and supporters from across the state reflected a shared commitment to the governor’s developmental agenda and confidence in his leadership.

The Senate Leader noted that beyond serving as a campaign rally for Governor Oyebanji’s re-election, the event also sent a clear political message that Ekiti State remains steadfast in its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.

Bamidele expressed appreciation to the First Lady for the visit, describing it as a remarkable demonstration of love, solidarity, and commitment to the people of Ekiti State.

He said the visit would remain memorable in the history of the state, adding that Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s presence further strengthened the bond between the people of Ekiti and the Presidency.

The APC Women Campaign Rally attracted thousands of party members, women groups, community leaders, and supporters from across the state, all of whom reaffirmed their support for Governor Oyebanji’s second-term bid and the continued success of the APC in Ekiti State.