Prof. Mercy Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, former presidential candidate and United Nations POLAC Peace Consul has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his public defense of freedom of speech and his call for dialogue amid ongoing protests across Nigeria.
In a statement issued on 12th June 2026, marking the Nigerian Democracy day on a low key, Prof. Adesanya-Davies applauded the President’s Democracy Day declaration: _“Call me names, call me whatever you will, and I will still call upon democracy to defend your right to do so”_. She described the President’s stance as _“a strong affirmation of democratic tolerance and a welcome departure from the culture of intolerance and abuse of power”_.
*On Freedom of Speech*
Prof. Adesanya-Davies noted that President Tinubu’s directive to lawmakers and security agencies to embrace “dialogue over dictatorship, persuasion over suppression, and rights over might” reflects leadership that understands democratic governance requires space for criticism and opposing views. She urged all levels of government to take a cue from the President’s message and uphold Nigerians’ constitutional right to free expression under Chapter 4, Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution.[a]
*On Ongoing Protests & Call for Dialogue*
Addressing the recent #EndBadGovernance and #EndHungerNow protests and “Bring our Children Back”, Prof. Adesanya-Davies appealed to organizers and protesters nationwide to accept President Tinubu’s appeal to “give peace and dialogue a chance”.
She acknowledged the grievances driving the protests, including demands for reduced cost of governance, review of fuel subsidy, food security, fiscal discipline, INEC and EFCC reforms, job creation, infrastructure, electricity affordability, and improved security.
“Nigeria requires all hands on deck and needs us all – regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides, to work together in reshaping our destiny as a nation,” she stated, quoting the President’s nationwide broadcast urging protesters to suspend further action and embrace dialogue.
Prof. Adesanya-Davies reiterated UN-POLAC’s commitment to peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and sustainable development in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She called for continued transparency, justice, and accountability in government operations while ensuring citizens’ voices remain protected.
Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies is a former presidential candidate, Professor of Applied Linguistics, Peace Ambassador. She serves as Secretary General, Board of Trustees, UN-POLAC.
