Senate proposes institutionalization of presidential address on June 12
The Nigerian Senate is proposing a legislative initiative to make presidential addresses on June 12 a formal event, highlighting the historical significance of the date.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele announced this plan during a recent interview, asserting the importance of the President’s address on this pivotal day.
“We are hoping to bring a bill soon to institutionalise the President’s address on June 12 because of its historical importance. There can’t be a better time to address the nation through the parliament than on June 12, especially since it is a joint sitting of the National Assembly,” Bamidele stated.
In addition to the presidential address, the Senate is also considering relocating the presidential inauguration from Eagles Square to the National Assembly. Bamidele confirmed that the bill would designate the National Assembly Complex as the venue for future swearing-in ceremonies.
“We are hoping, in that bill, to ensure that the swearing-in ceremony of the next President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria, whom we believe is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be held within the arcade of the National Assembly,” he added.
Furthermore, Bamidele mentioned that the Senate is examining the possibility of extending the implementation period for the capital expenditure component of the 2024 budget. He emphasized the importance of thoroughly assessing the budget’s full implementation.
On the subject of constitutional reform, Bamidele acknowledged that progress has been slow but reassured citizens that efforts are ongoing. As the Vice Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, he revealed plans for public hearings at zonal levels, leading up to a joint public hearing coordinated by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
June 12 is a significant date in Nigeria’s history, following the controversial annulment of the 1993 presidential election, widely believed to have been won by Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
The decision to move Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 in 2018 was made by former President Muhammadu Buhari as a tribute to Abiola and to honor the ideals of democracy.
In an unexpected turn, Babangida admitted in a book released in February 2025 that Abiola was indeed the rightful winner of the 1993 election, marking a notable moment in Nigeria’s democratic narrative.
Source: PUNCH
