President Bola Tinubu will address a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday, June 12, as part of this year’s Democracy Day celebration.
The address, scheduled to hold at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, will take place at a special joint sitting in the House of Representatives chamber, beginning at 11:00 am. President Tinubu is expected to arrive by noon.
Democracy Day is marked annually in Nigeria on June 12 in remembrance of the annulled 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the country’s history.
The poll was won by the late Moshood Abiola but was annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (retd).
House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi, disclosed the planned address in a statement on Sunday, June 8, citing an internal memo from the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria.
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“The Special joint sitting is scheduled to hold at the House of Representatives Chamber, National Assembly Complex, commencing at 11:00 AM, with preliminary proceedings ahead of the arrival of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at 12:00 noon,” the statement read.
It added, “The theme for this year’s celebration is: ‘26 years of democracy: Renewing our commitment to national development.’ President Tinubu is expected to attend the occasion as Special Guest of Honour and will deliver a presidential address to the joint sitting.”
The programme will also include goodwill messages from former National Assembly leaders and the conferment of national honours on selected legislators.
“This joint sitting represents a significant moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey. It underscores the pivotal role of the National Assembly in safeguarding democratic values, fostering accountability, and advancing national development over the past 26 years of uninterrupted civil rule,” the statement noted.
The House called on Nigerians to use the occasion for “reflection, renewed patriotism, and commitment to building a more inclusive, prosperous, and united nation.”