The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has addressed the reasons behind President Bola Tinubu’s decision not to speak at a joint session of the National Assembly.
This decision is tied to the upcoming Democracy Day celebrations scheduled for 12 June.
Democracy Day, a significant public holiday in Nigeria, was established by the former administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 to honor the annulled 12 June 1993 election, which is widely considered one of the freest and fairest in the country’s history.
This day has since replaced 29 May as the official Democracy Day and is celebrated with various national activities and ceremonies.
According to Speaker Tajudeen, the House of Representatives made an error in inviting President Tinubu to address a joint session of the National Assembly.
“The lawmakers have been corrected by the president,” Mr. Tajudeen stated, explaining that the president declined the invitation because all Democracy Day activities are slated for 12 June.
Instead of addressing the House, President Tinubu will inaugurate the Old National Anthem, which has come into effect following the signing of the controversial National Anthem Bill. This bill, recently passed into law, has sparked considerable debate and varying public opinions.
Consequently, Mr. Tajudeen announced that there would be no address from the president or the two presiding officers on the matter.
