By Joke Kujenya
PRESIDENT BOLA Tinubu stood before Nigeria’s bicameral legislature on Wednesday, addressing senators and members of the House of Representatives in a joint session commemorating 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule.
The floor of the green chamber came alive at exactly 11:50am when the president arrived, flanked by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, cabinet ministers, and state governors.
The formal broadcast traditionally aired on the morning of Democracy Day was cancelled, making this direct engagement with lawmakers the centrepiece of this year’s commemoration.
Dignitaries including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and former Senate Presidents Bukola Saraki and Ken Nnamani joined top government officials already seated in the National Assembly complex for the event.
Governors Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa joined the federal delegation, along with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
The president’s address came amid a solemn shift from ceremonial fanfare to deliberative reflection. The inter-ministerial committee had earlier confirmed there would be no parade this year.
The Democracy Day lecture scheduled later in the day is expected to feature insights from top political figures, focusing on national issues shaping the country’s democratic experience.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed the president and called for closer synergy between the executive and legislature.
He stressed that collaboration across the arms of government was fundamental to national advancement.
President Tinubu’s appearance in the legislative chamber marks a symbolic reinforcement of Nigeria’s democratic framework, with national honours also expected to be conferred on select lawmakers during the proceedings.
Nigeria had previously observed Democracy Day on May 29 until former President Muhammadu Buhari changed the date to June 12 in 2018 to honour the late Moshood Kashimawo O. Abiola, adjudged winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election.
