President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, has cancelled his planned nationwide broadcast for Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Day anniversary.
Upon the cancellation, the president has opted to deliver his speech directly from the National Assembly.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, who explained that the adjustment was due to his scheduled appearance at a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday.
“Due to President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled attendance at the National Assembly Joint Session, the Presidential National Broadcast on June 12 has been cancelled. President Tinubu will deliver his address from the National Assembly,” Imohiosen stated.
Other events of the Day will proceed as scheduled, according to the statement.
New Daily Prime earlier reported that the former governor of Lagos state was scheduled to address Nigerians at 7 am on Thursday as part of the events marking this year’s celebrations before proceeding to the National Assembly complex for a special joint session scheduled at noon.
However, in a latest development, cancelling the nationwide address by the president, the traditional military parade of the Democracy Day has also been cancelled with no reason given.
The president will still participate in a joint session of the National Assembly at 12 noon, while a public lecture will follow later in the day at 4 pm at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
Abdulhakeem Adeoye, who signed the revised program on behalf of the Director of Information & Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, outlined the updated the schedule.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee wishes to announce the following developments on the 26th Democracy Day celebration:
- Presidential National Broadcast on June 12, 2025, at 7 a.m.
- No Democracy Day Parade.
- H.E. President Bola Tinubu is to attend the National Assembly Joint Session at noon.
- Public Lecture on Democracy Day Celebration at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. Time: 4 pm.
Theme: Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms,” the statement read.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.
