President Marks June 12 With Maiden State Of Nation Address

The anniversary of the historic June 12 1993 presidential election will be marked today in a special way.

This day, now Democracy Day, will witness the maiden state of the nation address to Nigerians through their federal lawmakers.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will stand before a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives to speak on how the polity is faring.

Business mogul Chief Moshood Abiola won the election and widely acknowledged to be free and fair. But it was annulled by the military government of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

The year after, having struggled to get his mandate Chief Abiola declared himself president at Epetedo in Lagos.

He was arrested, detained, put on trial for treason. He died in custody on July 7, 1998.

President Muhammadu Buhari declared Abiola President posthumously on account of his victory which was denied, and awarded him, again posthumously, the highest national award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).

He also declared June 12 as Democracy Day to replace May 29.

So as not to reduce the value attached to the state of the nation address, the Federal Government said there will be no military parade today.

In a statement, Abdulhakeem Adeoye, on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations, said there will be no ceremonial parade this year, however, the celebration will include two key public engagements by the President.

The statement reads: “At 12 noon, President Tinubu is scheduled to attend a Joint Session of the National Assembly at the National Assembly Complex.

“This special sitting will serve as a symbolic affirmation of the synergy between the Executive and Legislature in nurturing Nigeria’s democratic system.

“There will also be a Public Lecture on Democracy, to be held at 4pm at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, with the theme: “Consolidating on the gains of Nigeria’s democracy: Necessity of enduring reforms.”

Clerk to the House of Representatives, Yahaya Danzaria, told representatives in a memo on June 8, that the President is expected to arrive at the National Assembly at about noon.

House spokesman Akintunde Rotimi gave a breakdown of the President’s engagement during his visit.

Rotimi said: “The leadership and honourable members of the House of Representatives will participate in a special joint sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday (today), June 12, 2025, to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day.

“This development was formally conveyed to members via an internal memorandum issued by the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

“The special joint sitting is scheduled to hold at the House of Representatives Chamber, National Assembly Complex, commencing at 11am, with preliminary proceedings ahead of the arrival of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 12 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 special guest of honour and will deliver a Presidential Address to the joint sitting.

“The programme will also feature goodwill messages from former presiding officers of the National Assembly and the conferment of national honours on select legislators by Mr. 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.”