President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to address Nigerians at 7 am on Thursday as part of the events marking the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in a statement issued by Abdulhakeem Adeoye on behalf of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Democracy Day, chaired by the Director of Information and Public Relations.
According to the statement, following his national broadcast, President Tinubu will proceed to the National Assembly complex for a special joint session scheduled at noon. However, Adeoye clarified that there will be no ceremonial parade this year.
Later in the evening, a public lecture will take place at 4 pm at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. The theme for this year’s lecture is “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms.”
This year’s event marks 26 years of uninterrupted civilian rule since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, after years of military governance. Until 2018, Democracy Day was held on May 29—the traditional date for presidential and gubernatorial inaugurations—before being shifted to June 12 to honour the annulled 1993 election won by MKO Abiola, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s fairest elections.
Tinubu’s third Democracy Day
The 2025 commemoration is Tinubu’s third Democracy Day since assuming office in 2023 after a fiercely contested presidential election.
What is Democracy Day?
Democracy Day is a national holiday in Nigeria celebrated on May 29 until 2018. It is now commemorated on June 12 in honour of MKO Abiola, a celebrated voice for democracy, and the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 presidential elections, held on the same date, in Nigeria.
Despite over two decades of continuous democracy, many Nigerians are increasingly critical of the state of governance. One such critic, opposition politician and publisher Dele Momodu, raised concerns during his appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday.
“I’m very happy that today coincides with the lead-up to June 12 (Democracy Day), so that if we still have any iota of conscience left, we’ll realise we have damaged this democracy,” Momodu said.
He warned that Nigeria is gradually slipping back into authoritarian rule, adding, “The summary of it all is that on the eve of June 12, Nigeria is virtually back to civilian dictators who don’t care how you feel or what you think. Nigerians are hungry.
“We’ve damaged this democracy, and I hope we’ve not damaged it beyond repair because the audacity, the effrontery of this set of politicians—whether in the executive, legislature, or local government—is totally unbelievable.
