The National Assembly is set to introduce two key bills aimed at deepening Nigeria’s democracy — one to mandate that future Presidents be sworn in at the National Assembly arcade, and another to institutionalize a yearly State of the Nation Address on June 12.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing journalists during the June 12 Democracy Day celebrations.
Bamidele said the proposed laws are part of ongoing efforts to give more meaning to democratic governance and reflect the symbolism of June 12, which commemorates the 1993 election won by the late MKO Abiola — widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest vote.
According to him, the National Assembly has invited President Bola Tinubu to address a joint session on Thursday, June 12, 2025, to mark Democracy Day — a tradition they now want codified in law.
“It is our desire to institutionalise the State of the Nation Address. June 12 will be a better time for the President to speak to Nigerians through a joint sitting of the National Assembly,” Bamidele said.
He also disclosed that a bill will soon be introduced to ensure that presidential inaugurations take place at the National Assembly arcade moving forward.
Democracy Day is observed annually on June 12 in honour of MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election.
