President Bola Tinubu will deliver a nationwide address at 7 AM on Thursday, June 12, as part of the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations, marking 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in Nigeria.
According to a statement by Abdulhakeem Adeoye, representing the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Democracy Day, the President’s speech will be followed by a joint session of the National Assembly at noon.
Later in the day, a public lecture themed “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms” will take place at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja at 4 PM.
However, the traditional Democracy Day parade has been cancelled, with no official explanation provided.
Democracy Day, originally observed on May 29, was moved to June 12 in 2018 to honour the annulled 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s most credible, won by MKO Abiola.
Despite the milestone of 26 years of democracy, concerns over governance persist. Dele Momodu, a publisher and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, voiced his concerns on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, warning that Nigeria is sliding into a “civilian dictatorship.”
“Nigerians are hungry… We’ve damaged this democracy, and I hope we’ve not damaged it beyond repair,” Momodu stated, criticizing the growing disconnect between leaders and citizens. He also condemned the “audacity” of politicians across all levels of government, urging reflection as the nation commemorates June 12.
