Tinubu to Address National Assembly on Democracy Day

President Bola Tinubu is expected to speak before a joint sitting of the National Assembly on June 12 as Nigeria marks this year’s Democracy Day. The address forms part of several activities planned by the Federal Government to commemorate the annual event.

The programme was unveiled by the Inter-Ministerial Committee inaugurated on Tuesday to coordinate activities for the celebration. According to the committee, a number of events have been scheduled in the days leading to Democracy Day.

The activities include a World Press Conference on June 4, special Juma’at prayers on June 5, an interdenominational church service on June 7, a public lecture on June 9, and programmes for youths and women on June 10. A presidential broadcast and a Democracy Day gala night are also part of the schedule for June 12.

During the inauguration of the committee, the Federal Government paid tribute to the late Chief MKO Abiola and other Nigerians who played roles in the struggle for democratic rule. The government said Democracy Day remains an important occasion for reflecting on the sacrifices made by individuals and groups who fought for the restoration of democracy in the country.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, described the June 12 anniversary as a time to remember those whose efforts helped shape Nigeria’s democratic system. He noted that the democratic institutions operating in the country today were built on years of sacrifice, activism and commitment by many Nigerians.

Akume also said the celebration would provide an opportunity for the Federal Government to present its achievements and reaffirm its commitment to democratic governance, institutional growth and national development. He noted that despite economic and social challenges, the administration intends to use the occasion to showcase progress made in different sectors.

With the anniversary drawing near, Akume directed members of the committee to begin immediate preparations to ensure all activities are carried out successfully. He said the celebration would be modest and cost-conscious while still serving its purpose.

The SGF added that the committee had been divided into different sub-groups to handle various aspects of the event and urged members to work together to deliver a successful commemoration.

The committee includes several ministers, security chiefs and senior government officials, among them the Ministers of Information, Interior, Defence, Finance and Foreign Affairs, as well as the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services.

Nigeria observes Democracy Day every June 12 in honour of the country’s democratic journey and in remembrance of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as one of the freest elections in the nation’s history and believed to have been won by the late MKO Abiola.