June 12 to Become Annual Day for President’s National Address, Senate Proposes
The Nigerian Senate is preparing to introduce legislation that would make the President’s address to the nation on June 12 an annual constitutional event, marking the historical significance of the date.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele announced on Tuesday that the bill is expected to formalize the President’s speech during the joint sitting of the National Assembly on June 12 every year.
“There can’t be a better time to address the nation through parliament than on June 12,” Bamidele said, emphasizing the day’s importance as a symbol of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
In addition to this, the Senate is considering changing the venue of future presidential inauguration ceremonies from Eagles Square to the National Assembly Complex. Bamidele revealed that the bill would also propose hosting the swearing-in of the next President and Commander-in-Chief within the National Assembly’s arcade. He indicated that this would likely apply to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s upcoming inauguration.
The Senate is also reviewing the timeline for the 2024 budget implementation, particularly its capital expenditure component. Bamidele stated that an extension of the capital expenditure deadline is under consideration to ensure effective budget execution, while the 2025 budget will be fully implemented on schedule.
On constitutional reform, Bamidele, who is also Vice Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, acknowledged that progress has been slow but confirmed that the committee is close to completing its work. Plans are underway to hold zonal public hearings, followed by joint sessions involving both chambers of the National Assembly. The goal is to finalize constitutional amendments before the end of the current legislative year.
June 12 gained national prominence following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, widely believed to have been won by Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola. The annulment by then Head of State Ibrahim Babangida led to widespread protests. In 2018, Democracy Day was officially shifted to June 12 to honor Abiola and the election’s legacy as one of Nigeria’s freest polls.
In a recent development, Babangida admitted in his 2025 memoirs that MKO Abiola indeed won the annulled election, adding renewed historical weight to the day.
