“Tinubu Upholding Abiola’s Legacy, Driving Youth Empowerment” – Senate Committee Clerk Chinyelu

By Pan Afric Reporters NASS
Abuja, Nigeria – June 13, 2025

Mrs. Ngozi Chinyelu, Clerk of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sustaining the democratic ideals championed by the late Chief MKO Abiola, describing his administration as a living embodiment of Abiola’s vision for a united and progressive Nigeria.

Speaking to journalists during the Democracy Day celebrations at the National Assembly on Thursday, Chinyelu reflected on the historic significance of June 12 — a date she called both “symbolic and practical” in its representation of national unity and democratic aspiration.

“The June 12 election stands as a monument to Nigeria’s unity,” Chinyelu said, referring to the 1993 presidential election annulled despite being widely hailed as the country’s freest and fairest. “A Yoruba Muslim, Abiola, received overwhelming support across ethnic and religious lines — because Nigerians believed in his goodwill and generosity.”

She praised the enduring legacy of Abiola and his wife, Kudirat, who, she said, made the ultimate sacrifice in their fight for democracy. “They died so democracy could live. And today, we see their dreams reflected in the policies being implemented.”

Chinyelu highlighted Tinubu’s youth-centric agenda as a continuation of Abiola’s inclusive ethos. “The president’s focus on youth empowerment remains a master stroke,” she asserted, citing the 3MTT digital skills initiative and the $2 billion nationwide fiber-optic expansion as key pillars in fostering employment and innovation.

In addition to youth empowerment, Chinyelu applauded the administration’s move to grant fiscal autonomy to local governments — a reform she said would revolutionize service delivery and development at the grassroots level.

“For the first time in decades, local government chairmen now receive allocations directly, cutting out bottlenecks and boosting accountability,” she noted. “This will empower communities to take charge of their development and hold their leaders accountable.”

While acknowledging ongoing challenges, Chinyelu urged Nigerians to exercise patience, assuring that the administration is committed to delivering dividends of democracy to every citizen.

Reinforcing this message, President Tinubu, in his Democracy Day address to the joint session of the National Assembly, pledged to protect democratic institutions and ensure all Nigerians have equal access to participate in governance and shape their future.

“This administration is not just honoring Abiola in words,” Chinyelu concluded. “It is working tirelessly to make his dream of a united, prosperous, and inclusive Nigeria a reality.”