President Bola Tinubu will address a joint session of the National Assembly on June 12 as part of activities marking this year’s Democracy Day celebration.
The NASS address will be part of a series of official events planned by the federal government to observe 2026 Democracy Day, according to the inter-ministerial committee established on Tuesday to organize the nationwide schedule.
Other planned events for the celebration included a world press conference on June 4, special Juma’at prayers on June 5, an interdenominational church service on June 7, a Democracy Day public lecture on June 9, youth- and women-oriented programs on June 10, a presidential broadcast on June 12, and a Democracy Day gala night.
The federal government inaugurated the committee and paid honor to the late Chief MKO Abiola and other heroes of the June 12 fight.
According to a statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s media aide, Yomi Odunuga, the SGF, George Akume, stated that Democracy Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by Nigerians who fight for democratic governance.
Akume described the June 12 occasion as an important opportunity to recognize individuals who have contributed to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“The democratic values and institutions being strengthened across the country today are founded on the sacrifices and struggles of patriots and democrats who fought for the enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria,” he said.
The SGF paid respect to the heroes of the June 12, 1993, battle, particularly the late MKO Abiola, whose sacrifice and devotion to democracy, he claimed, led to June 12 being designated as Democracy Day.
Akume further stated that the event will allow the federal government to highlight its successes while reaffirming its commitment to democratic ideals, institutional strengthening, and national growth.
He stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would use the occasion to highlight accomplishments made in consolidating democracy, strengthening institutions, and implementing reforms despite ongoing socioeconomic issues.
With only ten days until the anniversary, Akume urged committee members to begin working immediately to assure the effective implementation of all approved activities.
He noted that the celebration would be “modest but purposeful” in keeping with the government’s fiscal discipline.
Akume stated that the committee had been divided into subcommittees to handle various parts of the celebration and instructed all subcommittee secretaries to submit budgets for approval.
He expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to carry out a successful remembrance and asked stakeholders to collaborate to ensure that the celebration pays honor to Nigeria’s democratic heroes while also reaffirming the country’s commitment to democratic government.
The committee is chaired by the SGF and includes key ministers, security chiefs, and senior government officials such as the ministers of information, interior, defense, finance, and foreign affairs; the national security adviser; the inspector-general of police; and the director-general of the Department of State Services, among others.
Nigeria celebrates Democracy Day on June 12 to remember the country’s return to democratic governance in 1999 and to honor the legacy of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was widely thought to have won by the late MKO Abiola.
