PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cancelled his scheduled national broadcast earlier slated for 7:00 a.m. on June 12, 2025, as part of this year’s Democracy Day celebrations.
According to an official statement issued today by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, the decision was made due to the President’s planned appearance at a joint session of the National Assembly tomorrow.
“Due to H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, scheduled attendance at the National Assembly Joint Session, the Presidential National Broadcast on June 12 has been cancelled,” the statement noted.
“President Bola Ahmed will deliver his address from the National Assembly. All other plans are in order as announced earlier.”
As confirmed by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Democracy Day, Tinubu’s address from the National Assembly will take place at noon.
The committee, through a statement by Abdulhakeem Adeoye, also clarified that there would be no Democracy Day parade this year. However, a public lecture will be held at 4:00 p.m. at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
The lecture, themed “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms”, forms part of activities commemorating the 26th anniversary of Nigeria’s uninterrupted democratic governance since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
Democracy Day was previously celebrated on May 29 but was moved to June 12 in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The date now honours the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election believed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.
This year marks President Tinubu’s third Democracy Day celebration since assuming office in 2023 after a tightly contested election.
However, amidst the celebrations, concerns over the state of Nigeria’s democracy persist.
In an interveiw today, Dele Momodu, a chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed fears that the country is regressing into civilian dictatorship.
“If we still have any iota of conscience left, we’ll realise we have damaged this democracy,” Momodu stated.
As Nigerians commemorate over two decades of democratic rule, the absence of a live broadcast and growing criticisms reflect the complex political landscape surrounding this year’s observance.