By Kolawole Ojebisi
As parts of commemoration of democracy day this year, President Bola Tinubu will address a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Thursday, June 12, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the House of Representatives Spokesman, Akin Rotimi.
According to Rotimi, the schedule was formally conveyed to members of the national legislature in. an internal memorandum issued by the House Clerk, Yahaya Danzaria.
“The Special joint sitting is scheduled to hold at the House of Representatives Chamber, National Assembly Complex, commencing at 11:00 AM, with preliminary proceedings ahead of the arrival of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at 12:00 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 statement read in part.
The statement further stated that the programme will feature goodwill messages from former presiding officers of the National Assembly and the conferment of National Honours on select legislators by the President.
It continued: ”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 in the statement 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.”
Democracy Day used to be observed with a national public holiday among other events on May 29 to commemorate Nigeria’s return to civilian rule after years under military dictatorship.
The day was changed from May 29 to June 12 during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018.
The decision was taken in honour of the June 12,1993 presidential election seen by many as the most credible poll ever conducted in the history of post independent Nigeria.
The election was won by the late Moshood Abiola but was annulled by the military regime of Gen Ibrahim Babangida (retd).
Nigeria returned to civilian rule on May 29, 1999 when Gen (retd.) Abdusalam Abubakar relinquished the reins of power to a democratically elected Olusegun Obasanjo.
Democracy Day has since become an annual event, beginning in year 2000.
