By Ladyann Oluwatosin Crown
Today, as we commemorate June 12, we remember not just an election. We remember a moment when the Nigerian people, regardless of tribe, tongue, or religion, spoke with one voice.
June 12 symbolizes the strength of the people’s will. It stands as a memorial to the sacrifices made by those who dared to dream of a democratic Nigeria — free, fair, and united.
And yet, decades later, one thing still reverberates across spaces where Nigerians gather, whether at home or abroad: division.
We have become so accustomed to the language of disunity that we often defend it by reaching far into our history, into the 1800s and 1900s, to justify our mistrust, suspicion, and tribal sentiments.
Even among the youth, conversations often reveal a quiet resignation to tribal divides. We build strong arguments on why separation seems the best solution instead of uniting to confront our common enemies: bad governance, injustice, and inequality.
But let me ask this sincerely:
If a Hausa man is in distress, staring death in the face, and an Igbo man comes along to rescue him, will he say, “No, don’t help me. I’d rather die than be saved by someone from your tribe?” Or would he receive the help, deeply grateful, without asking where the helper comes from?
If a Yoruba woman is about to be raped, and a Hausa lady steps in to save her, will she say, “Because you’re not from my tribe, let me be violated instead?”
In such moments, what matters isn’t ethnicity. It’s our shared humanity.
Those who manipulate power understand that divided people are easier to control. That’s why they sow seeds of discord, amplify our differences, and distract us from holding them accountable.
But we, the youth, must refuse to be pawns in this old game.
I am not a loyalist of any political party.
I am loyal to Nigeria.
Parties rise and fall. Alliances shift. The best of friends in political circles become enemies overnight. Why? Because for them, it’s about power and control — not the collective good.
So, to my fellow young Nigerians:
Let us not hate one another.
Let us rise beyond the politics of tribe and religion.
Let us stand as one Nigeria, not in name alone but in truth.
I remember vividly, just a few years ago, when young Nigerians, with nothing but courage and hope, pulled money from their own pockets to stand against oppression. They raised their voices, not for selfish gain, but to say, “Enough is enough.”
For the first time, in spirit and in truth, we were united — not as tribes, not as religions, but as Nigerians at heart.
But along the way, that same powerful movement was infiltrated and sabotaged.
Some of the very people we thought we were fighting for, people who once stood for basic decency and justice, allowed greed and bias to cloud their judgment.
They forgot why we started.
They forgot the goal — that law enforcement must engage with the youth within the boundaries of human rights and dignity.
But we must ask:
What exactly are we standing for?
On this Democracy Day, I make a heartfelt appeal:
To my fellow Nigerians in every sphere of life:
Let us not dance to the tune of hate.
Let us reach across ethnic and religious lines.
Let us unite around a common goal — to uphold the constitution in truth and justice.
Let us ensure the unborn generations do not inherit the dysfunction we are witnessing today.
Let us secure a future where freedom is truly freedom.
Let us insist that when injustice happens to one, it is seen as injustice to all — whether the person is in hijab, lives in the poorest neighborhood, or is surrounded by wealth.
Every nation has traitors and selfish elites.
But we must not defend their actions simply because they speak our language or come from our region.
What must matter is justice, transparency, and equality.
And it’s not enough to demand these things — we must live them.
No one deserves more than others in their own fatherland.
Democracy was fought for. Let us not waste the sacrifice.
To the Nigerian youth:
Don’t be silent.
Don’t give in to despair.
Demand answers.
Hold leaders accountable.
Speak with one voice.
Because one day, Nigeria will rise, and we will be proud not just of what she is — but of what we built together.
Happy June 12.
Happy Democracy Day.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Ladyann Oluwatosin Crown is a passionate Youth Empowerment and Mental Health Advocate, Poet, Writer, and Teens Coach.
She is committed to empowering the next generation through impactful storytelling, mental health awareness, and transformative coaching that helps teenagers unlock their full potential.
She can be reached at [email protected]
