*An Imaginary Democracy Day Speech by Fela Anikulapo Kuti, June 12, 2026*
My people!
I greet everybody.
I say make una come near. Make una listen well-well because today na Democracy Day. Dem don wear fine agbada. Dem don carry long convoy. Dem don print poster. Dem don put banner everywhere. Dem don gather for Abuja. Dem don begin speech.
But I wan ask small question.
Which democracy?
Eh?
I say which democracy?
Because democracy no be grammar. Democracy no be public holiday. Democracy no be parade. Democracy no be speech from air-conditioned office.
Democracy na food for table.
Democracy na light for house.
Democracy na work for young people.
Democracy na security for village.
Democracy na justice for poor man and rich man alike.
If all these things never dey, wetin be this thing wey dem dey celebrate?
My people, when I sing “Democracy” many years ago, some people think say Fela no like democracy. No. I like democracy. Wetin I no like na politicians wey carry old wine put for new bottle.
Military man remove khaki wear agbada.
General become civilian.
Oppressor become democrat overnight.
Thief become statesman.
And everybody begin clap.
I tell una then, and I go tell una now: changing clothes no be changing character.
Look around.
Thirty-three years after June 12.
Twenty-seven years of uninterrupted civilian rule.
Oil still dey.
Gas still dey.
Brilliant people still dey.
Young people get energy pass anybody for this world.
Yet hunger dey increase.
Poverty dey increase.
Frustration dey increase.
The only thing wey no dey increase na electricity.
Na only darkness get permanent appointment for Nigeria
When I sing “Suffering and Smiling,” some people vex. Dem say Fela dey insult Nigerians.
No.
I dey describe wetin I see.
Today I look around, and I still see suffering.
Only difference be say the smiling don reduce.
Market woman dey suffer.
Farmer dey suffer.
Teacher dey suffer.
Doctor dey run comot.
Nurse dey run comot.
Engineer dey run comot.
Young graduate dey carry certificate waka like refugee inside him own country.
Yet every election season, politicians tell us say Nigeria don turn corner.
Which corner?
How many corners this country get?
Because every year na new corner.
But the destination never show.
My people, make I tell una something.
Problem of Nigeria no be lack of money.
Problem of Nigeria no be lack of intelligence.
Problem of Nigeria no be lack of resources.
Problem of Nigeria na when public office become private business.
Too many people dey enter government poor and come out rich.
Too many citizens dey enter life hopeful and come out hopeless.
That one no be democracy.
That one na organised disappointment.
And make nobody deceive una.
When I sing “Authority Stealing,” I tell una say authority thief pass armed robber.
Armed robber fit steal your money once.
Bad government fit steal your future every day.
Every abandoned school.
Every hospital without medicine.
Every road wey kill travellers.
Every village wey bandits control.
Every graduate wey no fit find work.
Na evidence of stolen future.
My people, another thing wey dey worry me.
Too many Nigerians don begin worship politicians.
You carry politician picture for chest.
You fight your brother because of politician.
You insult your neighbour because of politician.
Meanwhile the politician dey chop with him opponent for same table after election.
The people dey quarrel.
The politicians dey enjoy.
Who be the fool?
Eh?
Who be the fool?
When I sing “Zombie,” I dey talk about soldiers wey no fit think for themselves.
Today I fear say many civilians don become zombie too.
Anything politician talk, dem shout yes sir.
Anything government do, dem shout wonderful.
Anything party leader say, dem defend am like religion.
No!
Citizen no suppose be zombie.
Citizen suppose ask question.
Citizen suppose challenge power.
Citizen suppose hold government accountable.
That na democracy.
My people, make I talk to young Nigerians.
I know say many of una tired.
I know say many of una angry.
I know say many of una dey think say future don disappear.
But make una remember something
The people wey fought colonialism were young.
The people wey fought military dictatorship were young.
The people wey defended June 12 were young.
Every generation get him own struggle.
This na una own.
No sell your future for rice.
No sell your conscience for small money.
No sell your voice because politician call your name.
Nigeria belong to all of us, not to a few powerful families.
Today dem celebrate June 12 because some people refused to be afraid.
Because some people refused to be silent.
Because some people believed that the people matter.
That struggle never finish.
No be because military barracks quiet mean freedom don complete.
Freedom no complete until every child fit dream.
Freedom no complete until every citizen fit live with dignity.
Freedom no complete until government fear the people more than the people fear government.
So as una celebrate today, dance if una want dance.
Sing if una want sing.
Wave flag if una want wave flag.
But after the music stop, ask yourself one question.
Has democracy improved the life of ordinary Nigerians enough?
If the answer na no, then our work never finish.
And until that day comes, I go continue to sing.
I go continue to shout.
I go continue to ask questions.
Because the work of a true citizen no be to praise power.
The work of a true citizen na to tell power the truth.
My people, shine your eyes.
Democracy no be event.
Democracy na struggle.
And the struggle continues.
*Aluta continua!*
*Music is the weapon. The people are the power.*🎷🇳🇬✊🏿
Garbs
June 12, 2026