PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu is scheduled to address a joint session of the National Assembly on June 12 as part of activities lined up to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day celebration.
News Point Nigeria reports that the presidential address will headline a series of official events approved by the Federal Government for the 2026 Democracy Day observance, according to the Inter-Ministerial Committee inaugurated on Tuesday to coordinate activities across the country.
Other programmes slated for the celebration include a World Press Conference on June 4, special Juma’at prayers on June 5, an inter-denominational church service on June 7, a Democracy Day public lecture on June 9, youth and women-oriented programmes on June 10, a presidential broadcast on June 12 and a Democracy Day Gala Night.
Inaugurating the committee, the Federal Government paid glowing tribute to the late Chief MKO Abiola and other heroes of the June 12 democratic struggle.
A statement issued by the media aide to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Yomi Odunuga, quoted the SGF, George Akume, as saying that Democracy Day provides Nigerians with an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of those who fought for democratic governance in the country.
Akume described the June 12 anniversary as a historic occasion for honouring individuals who made immense contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“The democratic values and institutions being strengthened across the country today are founded on the sacrifices and struggles of patriots and democrats who fought for the enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria,” he said.
The SGF paid special tribute to the heroes of the June 12, 1993 struggle, particularly the late MKO Abiola, whose sacrifice and unwavering commitment to democracy, he noted, ultimately led to the recognition of June 12 as Nigeria’s official Democracy Day.
According to Akume, this year’s celebration will also provide an opportunity for the Federal Government to showcase its achievements and reaffirm its commitment to democratic ideals, institutional strengthening and national development.
He stated that the administration of President Tinubu would use the occasion to highlight progress recorded in consolidating democracy, strengthening public institutions and implementing reforms despite prevailing socio-economic challenges.
With only 10 days remaining before the anniversary, Akume directed members of the committee to commence work immediately to ensure the successful execution of all approved programmes.
He stressed that the celebration would be “modest but purposeful,” in line with the administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and prudent management of public resources.
The SGF further disclosed that the committee had been divided into various sub-committees responsible for handling different aspects of the event and directed all sub-committee secretaries to submit their budgets for approval.
Expressing confidence in the committee’s capacity to deliver a successful commemoration, Akume urged all stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure the celebration serves as a fitting tribute to Nigeria’s democratic heroes and a reaffirmation of the nation’s commitment to democratic governance.
The committee is chaired by the SGF and includes key ministers, security chiefs and senior government officials.
Among its members are the Ministers of Information, Interior, Defence, Finance and Foreign Affairs, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), among others.
Nigeria marks Democracy Day every June 12 in remembrance of the country’s democratic evolution and in honour of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the nation’s history and believed to have been won by the late MKO Abiola.
The annual commemoration also celebrates Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by pro-democracy activists, civil society groups and political leaders who fought for the restoration and sustenance of democratic governance.