President Tinubu to Address National Assembly Instead of National Broadcast as Nigeria Marks 26th Democracy Day
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a notable departure from tradition, has cancelled the anticipated nationwide television broadcast that was scheduled to commemorate Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Day.
Rather than addressing citizens through the customary morning broadcast from his office, the President will now deliver his Democracy Day message directly to a joint session of the National Assembly.
The decision was officially announced on Wednesday, June 11, by the Federal Government. According to the government, the change in format is necessitated by President Tinubu’s confirmed participation in a special parliamentary session slated for Thursday, June 12, 2025 — the day set aside to honor the country’s return to democratic governance.
Providing further clarification, Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated, “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.”
In a related development, the Federal Government has also announced the cancellation of the traditional Democracy Day military parade, which was originally scheduled to be held on the same day. A formal notice was issued to the press to communicate this decision, although no specific reasons were given for the cancellation of this ceremonial event.
Despite the absence of both the national broadcast and the parade, government officials have confirmed that other scheduled events planned to mark the Democracy Day celebration will proceed without disruption. These events are intended to commemorate Nigeria’s democratic evolution and to reflect on the progress made since the country transitioned from military to civilian rule.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu’s address to the joint session of the National Assembly will be a significant moment.
He disclosed that the “President will reflect on the nation’s democratic trajectory since 1993, pay tribute to the men and women who fought for the entrenchment of democratic rule, and outline his administration’s vision for building a prosperous Nigeria that works for every citizen.”
Further details regarding the revised programme were shared in an official statement issued by Abdulhakeem Adeoye on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations.
- The statement outlined the updated schedule of events for Democracy Day 2025 as follows: Cancellation of the Presidential National Broadcast originally scheduled for 7:00 a.m. on June 12.
- Cancellation of the traditional Democracy Day Parade.
- President Bola Tinubu’s official address at the National Assembly Joint Session at 12:00 noon.
- A Public Lecture at 4:00 p.m. at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. The theme for the lecture is “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee responsible for coordinating Democracy Day activities further emphasized that the public lecture at the State House Conference Centre will be accessible only to journalists who are officially accredited with the State House.
This year’s observance, while scaled back in its ceremonial components, maintains a reflective and institutional tone, focusing on dialogue and national discourse rather than pageantry. The revised format underlines the Tinubu administration’s emphasis on democratic engagement and substantive reform over symbolic celebration.