President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cancelled the planned national broadcast earlier scheduled for June 12, 2025, in celebration of Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Day. Instead, the President will now address the nation from the chambers of the National Assembly during a special joint session.
This development was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“Due to President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled attendance at the National Assembly Joint Session, the Presidential National Broadcast on June 12 has been cancelled,” the statement read. “President Tinubu will deliver his address from the National Assembly.”
The announcement comes amid a series of adjustments to the Democracy Day program. A separate notice signed by Abdulhakeem Adeoye on behalf of the Director of Information also indicated that the traditional military parade, initially part of the day’s celebrations, has been cancelled. No official reason was given for this decision.
Despite these changes, the statement emphasized that other events scheduled to commemorate the day will proceed as planned. These include a public lecture scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms.”
The lecture will be covered exclusively by accredited State House correspondents.
More Read
The revised Democracy Day schedule is as follows: Presidential National Broadcast – Cancelled, Military Parade – Cancelled, President’s Address at National Assembly Joint Session – 12:00 noon, Public Lecture at State House Conference Centre – 4:00 p.m.
The 2025 Democracy Day marks 26 years since Nigeria transitioned to democratic governance. President Tinubu’s decision to address the nation from the National Assembly is seen by some observers as symbolic of his commitment to strengthening democratic institutions.
“Speaking directly from the National Assembly reinforces the central role of the legislature in Nigeria’s democracy,” a political analyst in Abuja noted.
