The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the federal government and other stakeholders to deepen democratic governance and build a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous nation.

In a Democracy Day statement released on Thursday, the chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, congratulated Nigerians on commemorating the country’s 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule.

“On behalf of my colleagues at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, I congratulate all Nigerians on the commemoration of Democracy Day,” Governor AbdulRazaq said. “June 12 is a watershed in our national history. We therefore join President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and other stakeholders to honour our heroes and heroines who played significant roles in the struggle for democratic rule.”

He acknowledged the sacrifices made by pro-democracy icons who fought for freedom, justice, and civilian governance. He added that the nation owed its current political stability to its courage and resilience.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999, AbdulRazaq noted that the country had made appreciable progress across various sectors, despite persistent challenges. “The last 26 years of unbroken democracy have seen appreciable progress in different areas of our national life,” he said.

“Notwithstanding the progress, our nation—like every other human community—has its challenges and aspirations,” he added. “Together, we can leverage constructive dialogue and all other democratic mechanisms to engage one another for better outcomes.”

The governors pledged to strengthen their collaboration with the Federal Government, civil society, and development partners to widen the democratic space and uphold democratic values.

“As leaders of our people, we commit ourselves to working with all stakeholders, including the Federal Government, civic organisations, and other partners, to widen the democratic space and make our country more fertile for sustainable peace and inclusive prosperity,” the NGF chairman said.

Governor AbdulRazaq concluded the message with a call for national unity and renewed faith in the democratic process, urging Nigerians to keep hope alive. “Happy Democracy Day!” he added.