President Bola Tinubu has cancelled his planned nationwide television broadcast for Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Day celebration and will instead deliver his address directly to Parliament.
The Nigerian government announced the change on Wednesday, citing the president’s scheduled appearance at a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday as the reason for altering the usual format.
Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information and Public Relations, explained that President Tinubu will now speak to the nation from the National Assembly chambers rather than broadcasting from his office.
“Due to President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled attendance at the National Assembly Joint Session, the Presidential National Broadcast on June 12 has been cancelled. President Tinubu will deliver his address from the National Assembly,” Imohiosen said.
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Military parade also cancelled
The government has also cancelled the traditional military parade initially scheduled to mark the 26th Democracy Day celebration on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Officials sent a notice to journalists announcing this decision, but provided no official explanation for scrapping the parade.
Despite these cancellations, Imohiosen confirmed that other scheduled activities to mark the day will proceed as planned.
The revised programme includes the president’s attendance at the National Assembly joint session at noon, followed by a public lecture at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja at 4 pm.
Abdulhakeem Adeoye, writing on behalf of the Director of Information & Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, outlined the new schedule in an official notice.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee wishes to announce the following developments on the 26th Democracy Day celebration:
“1. Presidential National Broadcast on June 12, 2025, at 7 a.m. 2. No Democracy Day Parade. 3. H.E. President Bola Tinubu is to attend the National Assembly Joint Session at 12 noon. 4. Public Lecture on Democracy Day Celebration at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. Time: 4 pm. “Theme: Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms.”
The committee also directed that the public lecture at the State House Conference Centre will only be covered by accredited State House correspondents.
