The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, 12 June 2025, addressed a Joint sitting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, convened by the National Assembly, in celebration of Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Day with the theme “ 26 years of Uninterrupted Democratic Governance and Appreciation of the National Assembly’s Central Role in Nigeria’s Democratic Evolution”
The session presided over by the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio (APC: Akwa Ibom) and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen (APC:Kaduna), commenced with preliminary proceedings led by both Presiding Officers to admit President Tinubu into the chamber of the House of Representatives, following the cancellation of his usual nationwide broadcast so he could deliver his address directly to both chambers of the legislature. A notable departure from past practice.
Opening the session, Sen. Akpabio delivered his welcome address, recounting the historic importance of June 12, which he described as “the crucible of Nigeria’s democratic rebirth”. In his address, he emphasized that the bedrock of Nigeria’s constitutional framework is the imperative that executive authority cannot be exercised in isolation, but always in partnership with the legislature, as true representatives of the Nigerian people.
In his closing statement, Sen. Akpabio urged lawmakers of the 10th National Assembly to harness the momentum of democracy’s triumph to craft laws that promote equitable growth. After which, he formally invited President Tinubu to take the podium to deliver his nationwide address.
President Tinubu, standing before lawmakers of the Senate and House of Representatives began his address by reflecting on the dark days of military dictatorship, the trajectory of Nigeria’s return to civilian rule, and the people’s yearning for freedom. Paying tribute to the heroes of June 12 1993, he acknowledged, not only the role of late M.K.O Abiola, but the many activists, journalists and public servants who laid down their lives for democracy. President Tinubu further commended former President, Muhammadu Buhari for formally enshrining June 12 as the nation’s official Democracy Day.
Speaking on the present, President Tinubu re-affirmed his unwavering resolve to safeguard the country’s multiparty system dispelling rumours and notions of imposing a one-party rule, declaring that he would be “the last person” to advocate for the abolishment of Nigeria’s multiparty system. Recalling his own lone stand in 2003 against such ambitions, he welcomed lawmakers who chose to join the All Progressive Congress (APC) party and encouraged those who remained in opposition, urging all to work across party lines in the nation’s interest.
President Tinubu went on to review his administration’s first-year achievements to include, GDP growth of 3.4% in 2024 (with a 4.6% increase in Quarter 4), easing inflation, a rise in foreign reserves and a stable naira; the rollout of affordable consumer credit to over 100,000 Nigerians; youth-empowerment schemes; nationwide fibre-optic expansion; and tax and fiscal reforms designed to promote industrial growth. He applauded the National Assembly for its collaborative passage of a comprehensive Tax Reform Bill, calling on lawmakers to build on these gains by enacting laws that promote job creation and equitable development; strengthen food security and social safety nets programmes; and provide investment incentives in underserved regions.
As President Tinubu brought his address to an end, he conferred posthumous and national honours on 69 notable figures he considered champions of Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle. Among them include late Chief Kudirat Abiola who received the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), late Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu and former President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua received the Grand Commanders of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
President Tinubu concluded by reminding lawmakers that democracy flourishes through fearless debate, tolerant dialogue and shared sacrifice. He stated “Our nation is not perfect, but it is strong,”
Bringing the session to a close, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen in his vote of thanks, expressed his gratitude to the President for attending the Joint Sitting to commemorate the 26th Democracy Day and address the nation. He also moved a motion supported by lawmakers to institutionalise June 12 as an annual date for the Presidential Address to a Joint Session of the National Assembly.
Other highlights from the remarks of the Speaker, included the House of Representatives key legislative interventions and partnerships for the past 2 years with NGOs such as the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and Development Partners, and its priority areas for the next legislative session which will focus, among others, on executive-legislative engagement for the passage and assent of the Special Seats Bill.
At the end of the session, the Senate and House of Representatives resolved to shift the resumption of plenary from Tuesday, 14 June to Tuesday, 24 June 2025.
