Tinubu Democracy Day address will air nationwide on Friday morning as Nigeria marks the anniversary of the historic June 12 election

President Bola Tinubu will deliver a nationwide broadcast on Friday to commemorate Democracy Day, marking the 33rd anniversary of Nigeria’s historic June 12, 1993 presidential election.

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The announcement was made in a statement issued on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, the Tinubu Democracy Day Address is scheduled to air at 7:00 a.m. on the network of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

“The speech is scheduled to air on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) network at 7:00 a.m.

“All television stations are requested to hook onto the NTA network to carry the broadcast,” the statement said.

The address will form part of activities marking Democracy Day, which commemorates the June 12, 1993 presidential election widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll.

The election was won by the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, popularly known as MKO Abiola, before it was annulled by the military administration of Ibrahim Babangida.

The annulment sparked a prolonged pro-democracy struggle that played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s modern political landscape and eventual return to civilian rule.

Democracy Day was officially moved from May 29 to June 12 in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari in recognition of the significance of the election and the sacrifices made by democracy activists.

The annual observance has since become a national public holiday dedicated to celebrating democratic governance, civil liberties and the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

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Friday’s broadcast will be Tinubu’s fourth Democracy Day-related national address since assuming office in May 2023 and is expected to reflect on the country’s democratic journey, governance priorities and national development.