The Federal Government has declared Thursday, June 12, 2025, as a public holiday, to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day celebration.
On the celebration day, President Bola Tinubu will address a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The PUNCH reports that June 12 was officially designated as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in 2018, to honour the annulled 1993 presidential election, widely considered the freest and fairest in the nation’s history and won by Chief MKO Abiola.
In a statement announcing the holiday, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated citizens on the occasion of 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule in the country.
“June 12 represents our historic journey to building a nation where truth and justice reign, and peace is sustained and our future assured,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
Announcing the joint session of the National Assembly for June 12, a statement issued on Sunday by the House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi, noted that the event was formally conveyed to members via an internal memorandum issued by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr Yahaya Danzaria.
“The Special joint sitting is scheduled to be held 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 noon.
“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 a special guest of honour and will deliver a presidential address to the joint sitting,” the statement read.
It added that the programme would feature goodwill messages from former presiding officers of the National Assembly and the conferment of national honours on select legislators by the President.
“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 House of Representatives urges all Nigerians to embrace the spirit of Democracy Day as a time for reflection, renewed patriotism, and commitment to building a more inclusive, prosperous, and united nation,” the statement read.