The Nigerian Senate is proposing a significant shift in the country’s democratic traditions by advocating for the relocation of the presidential inauguration from Eagle Square to the National Assembly complex. This move is part of broader legislative efforts to deepen the symbolic relevance of June 12 in the nation’s democratic journey.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele revealed on Tuesday that lawmakers are drafting a bill to institutionalize an annual presidential address to the nation on June 12, marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
“We are hoping to bring a bill soon to institutionalize the President’s address on June 12 because of its historical importance,” Bamidele told reporters. “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.”
He added that the bill would also include a provision to relocate the presidential swearing-in ceremony to the arcade of the National Assembly—starting with the next administration. “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 said.
In a related development, the Senate is also assessing the implementation of the 2024 budget. Bamidele noted that lawmakers are considering extending the timeline for capital expenditure to ensure greater impact and alignment with planning for the 2025 budget cycle.
“We have to sit and assess the full implementation of the 2024 budget. We will further extend the capital expenditure timeline while ensuring that the 2025 budget is fully implemented,” he stated.
The proposals, if passed into law, would mark a significant change in both ceremonial and governance practices tied to Nigeria’s evolving democratic ethos.
